If Carlsberg did opening scenes...actually scrub that...if Carlsberg did books...
Well, didn't that one just reach out and grab me by the throat! From the word off I was hooked! You know when you pick up a book and you just don't want to put it down! I started reading this in the bath and came out like a prune whereby I went straight to bed with a do not disturb sign! If I hadn't had to sleep or go to work then this would have been a one sitting reading!
I'm sat here biting my tongue as there are so many things I want to say about plot and characters but I can't in fear that I give anything away! The blurb above is all you need to know about the ins and outs of the plot just now!
If you want me to say anything about it then let's just say this plot is so breathtakingly pacy, twisted and clever that it would have trouble hiding behind a corkscrew! The characters are so well written that they come alive in front of your eyes! I not only engaged with them, but I also found myself immersed in their lives. Some dark secrets and surprises to be found throughout! And that's all I'm telling you.
What I will bang on about is the absolute brilliance that Angela Clarke has created with her sense of place. I don't know if you have ever been inside a prison but she nails it perfectly! I've been in a couple of times (in a work-related capacity!) and while I was not in the body of the Kirk, in the halls so to speak, there is a very very real sense of being enclosed and incarcerated as soon as you step through the doors and are processed into the institution. Magnify this a million times over and you could not bottle what she has put on the page. The tension, the noise, the fear, the smells, the hope, the brutality, corruption- they all jump out from the pages and grab you in, making you their very own prisoner until you turn the last page. That sense of life being carved into units of time within the prison walls, association time, work time, visiting time, lock up time, meal time, education time - Angela Clarke captured it perfectly.
I couldn't help but empathise with Jenna and imagine what it must be like to be locked up for something that you didn't do. The fear was real. And imagine being locked up for something that other prisoners will find so heinous that you cannot afford for them to discover your true identity. "On My Life" took me by the hand on Jenna's journey with her. I witnessed her terror and her trust; her friendships and her enemies and her life crashing down round about her. I cried real snotty tears reading this book. It really does make you think about real life and real situations. This is compounded by the facts about female prisons, prisoners and pregnancy while in prison, which the author includes at the end. It is a harrowing but brutal truth. On My Life covers the very real issues pregnant women, going to prison face from the institutional lack of supports to the risk of harm to themselves and their unborn children. I'd defy anyone to read that and not have an ounce of compassion in their bodies.
This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down yet nor did I want it to end. I was completely engrossed in it and it occupied my mind constantly. It was twisted and I definitely did not work out what was going to happen! It kept me on my toes right up until the very end! Even if I had of worked it out in the first chapter none of that would have spoiled my enjoyment of this novel! This is an outstanding read and I urge you to get out and buy it!

When you are a child murderer you can't expect any kind of easy ride in prison - even if you are claiming you were framed!

This is a tense, brilliantly written account of Jenna's life (which was seemingly a sunshine and roses rags-to-riches fairy tale) being turned upside down when her stepdaughter is murdered and her loving and very wealthy fiance is missing, presumed dead - to her horror all the evidence says she did it and that she is a sexual deviant as well as a child murderer. Her friends and almost in-laws desert her and the only people who are standing by her are her sister and and ailing mother.

The scenes in the prison literally gave me palpitations; the treatment of the pregnant women, the rigidity of the system and the lack of support to help them have a healthy pregnancy and any chance of motherhood was harrowing. The brutality and pack mentality of the inmates was truly chilling and how open to abuse the prisoners are was a real eye opener for me ... terrifying and heartbreaking in equal measures.

The reveal took me by surprise although even if I'd guessed it couldn't have spoiled this book. The structure of the story switching from past to present as Jenna struggles to make sense of her situation worked really well and I was loathe to put it down, when I did I was thinking about what I'd read and eager to get back to it.

A phenomenal read - Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton - this review reflects my honest opinion.

This is a book that grabbed my attention form the start and didn't let go to the end, it Kept me guessing and when I thought I'd worked it out I hadn't but that's surely how a good thriller should be.
Jenna is dating a farmer she met at work only he is a lot more than she first imagined and when she thought all her dreams were coming true a great big hole opens up and tried to swollow her whole and it never looked likely to let her go. Jacob her fiance has disappeared apart from some of his blood that is found in the kitchen and his daughter Emily is dead on the same kitchen floor. The picture of perfection they have on show is not the same as it is behind closed doors or his parents doors anyway.
Jenna background could not be more separated from her intended she was brought up on that estate the one most towns have where those from the Manor don't want messing up their shoes. Her Mum is an addict and her elder sister Hess is the one bringing her up and protecting her from her Mum's many men that turn up to party at their home or just trash it up, They have spent many a evening barricaded in a bedroom to protect themselves. Sure you get the picture, however Jenna didn't let this hold her back as she got educated and a very good job that she loves which all get swept away on Emily's 14th birthday Emily being Jacob's daughter and Jenna's soon-to-be stepdaughter if only. Well I will let you read it for yourself.
Jenna's life is altered and her friends dessert her well who wants a jailbird for a friend well not her so called friends obviously and she doesn't have many friends in her new home but Kelly her roommate (ok cell mate) she is good but Gould she isn't.
As well as a thriller the research done by the author Angela Clarke makes this a very authentic and therefore a very informative book as well highlighting some real issues and things that prisoners have to face today and the sort of people that you really meet there as opposed to the ones everybody thinks you will meet. I could say more on this but it is all part of the story and enhances the whole experience which is a gift of Angela's writing and you will get to see what I mean as you read it and I hope you do because this is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it, I'm believing you may well do to once you have devoured the pages of this thriller.

WOW !!!!! what a brilliant damn book this is it’s a totally captivating read that grabs you from the first page racks up the tension and just doesn’t let go. It’s written so realistically that you can really feel the horror that Jenna feels when accused of the murder of her stepdaughter and sent to prison to await trial. Finding herself pregnant and in an environment she could never have imagined the book is an excellent portrayal of prison life and the character of Jenna is so well done, very emotional at times and extremely believable you can really feel as if you are there which is all credit to the wonderful writing of Angela Clarke, I couldn’t put it down but I didn’t want it to finish it either I was enjoying the so much !!
So I just loved this book and I feel it’s going to be a massive hit and well deservedly so ....gripping, fantastic story I just can’t praise it enough so grab this one it’s a winner !!
My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Hodder and Stoughton UK, Mulholland Books and the author, Angela Clarke, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of On My Life in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I am stunned! I have never read this author before but after reading this book, this is something that needs immediate rectification.
I thought the storyline was well thought out and incredibly well written. I was hooked from the start. This is definitely a book that needs to be devoured in one sitting.
This is a gritty, emotional, rollercoaster ride that is one of the best thrillers I have ever read.
Definitely well worth a read.

Jenna had been put in prison because the police had taken her in she had killed her fiancé daughter
I think Jenna who is pregnant is having a depressing time in prison
I had an ARC from Hodder and Staunton

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all three books in this author's scarily realistic Social Media series, I was very excited to read this standalone. In her series she has shocked me to the core with her realistic storylines so I had high expectations for this one, set mostly in a women's prison. To say I was blown away would be an understatement as she has obviously done so much research that, at times, I actually felt I was there with the characters, going through the same harrowing trials and tribulations as them.
Jenna has been accused and charged of the heinous crime of murder. To make things worse, it's the murder of her own step daughter (well, soon to be, the marriage being booked) and, as we all know, child killers don't fare well in prison. Her partner is also missing; presumed dead and, when we first meet her, Jenna is on her way to prison, awaiting trial for these two crimes.
I'm not going to say too much more about the plot for fear of spoilers but as well as hearing about Jenna's horrible time in prison, we also go back to day one, when she first met the man she was going to marry. We flit between these two timelines, learning more about the past and, eventually, how that past shaped the present she now finds herself in, as she battles against the odds to figure out what happened, who has it in for her and ultimately, to clear her name.
Oh my days, what an emotional book! As well as a tight and intriguing plot, we also had the scenes "inside" which were claustrophobic and scary and all things in between. But, that said, there were also the most wonderfully uplifting moments to be found along the way that really did give me the respite I needed to get through the darker parts, keeping the book very well balanced.
The two timelines really complemented each other. Snippets from the past were injected into the present narrative in exactly the right moments to move the story along without giving too much away too early. Along the way, the author delivered several surprises and shocks, as well as twists and turns aplenty. And the end, when it eventually came was shocking and not wholly expected. I did guess a couple of bits but I really wasn't prepared for the whole truth when it all came out!
All in all, a cracking read that I read pretty much straight through as I really needed to know what happened. It really was a case of believe the hype. I really can't wait to see what the author has in store for me next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Wow, what an intense read. This is my first time reading Angela Clarke's work and I most definitely will be reading her other work.

What I found most interesting with the explanation of prison life in the UK which is very much hidden away as opposed to what we see of other prison systems such as the US.

There were moments when I felt the story was a little slow going but I was already invested enough to continue.

All in all, a strong read. An author I will definitely return to. And a thriller worth delving in to.

This book was enthralling and intense to the very end!! If it was the author's intention to depict how a character can experience unparalleled elation followed immediately by the most awful desperation, then I think she achieved this in the story of Jenna Burns the main character. ( I am pretty sure that was Angela Clarke's intention.) From being is swept off her feet by the heir to the local estate, Jenna finds herself cruelly abused in an 19th (?) century prison accused of murdering her step-daughter to-be. I really had no idea how this story was going to unravel; in the end Jenna discovers the critical clues and cleverly ties the loose ends to reveal the unlikely killer and her motive.

The book also provides an insight into the conditions endured by women who find themselves pregnant in prison (as explained in the acknowledgements).

When I heard great thing on social media about this book, on my life by Angela Clarke I had to read it and I am so glad I did. What a fantastic book it is.
Jenna Burns arrives home to find her Stepdaughter Emily dead and her Fiancé Robert missing. When the police arrive, they find her hugging Emily a bloodied hoodie and child porn on her laptop. Jenna is imprisoned and waiting for trail, for her murder of Emily. She is sent to a high security prison. Where she tries to keep her head down and not let anyone recognise her but, word gets out and she can hear the other inmates chant the blond Slayer. She tells not only her lawyer but the prison that she is innocent but nobody listens to her. Not only that, whilst incarcerated she finds out that she is pregnant with Robert’s child.
This is a gripping, tense psychological thriller. Mostly told in Jenna’s POV, the story is told in the ten and now. How she was brought up in a Council estate, she meets wealthy Robert and has a whirlwind romance. They quickly move in together in his mansion. But, not everyone is happy with the decision, mainly his parents.
I thought the author did her research very well of the subject of prison life and the prison system. You could feel the tension and the close proximity of actually being there in the cell and also the fear of the other inmates. It was quite realistic. And Boy I didn’t see the ending coming.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of this book

An excellent book, a cleverly written plot and a well developed story with good characters that I soon got involved with.

I can thoroughly recommend this thriller which has plenty of twists and turns.

Thank you to Netgalley and H&S Mulholland Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

What differentiates this one from every other British crime thriller is the inside look at U.K. prison culture. The mystery itself was pretty basic but I really liked the girls she was in with. Passes the time

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It's going between past and present bringing the mystery together. Our main character has the perfect life, nice fiance with a stepdaughter. But, suddenly her stepdaughter is found dead and the fiance is missing. She goes to prison and tries to prove her innocence.
I really liked the writing, it was very atmospheric and detailed. The writer described the environment in prison very well. I also found the characterisation well done. There are 2 things that brought my rating down to 2: It was too slow at times, and it was predictable.
Otherwise, very accomplished and I'd read from the writer again.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton publishers for the ARC.

Hells bells what an exciting and engrossing read On My Life by Angela Clark turned out to be. If you love a prison drama, then look no further, it’s definitely dramatic, the vivid prison scenes depicted by the author give a sense of malevolence that radiates from its pages, it’s a book that sizzles with tension. The author’s depiction of HMP Fallenbrook is so convincing it doesn’t take much imagination to sense the claustrophobic feel of the prison, the constant noise, the lack of privacy, a world where violence and fighting for survival going hand in hand.

On My Life tells the story of Jenna who appears to have it all, loving fiancé, a great job, a beautiful home, but then Jenna is accused of the murder of her 14-year-old stepdaughter and the disappearance of her fiancé. Placed on remand at HMP Fallenbrook, she finds herself fighting for her freedom, is she innocent? Who and why would someone go to such lengths to have her incarcerated? The answers are deftly revealed by the author, with numerous “OMFG” moments along the way. The beauty of this story is the contrast between Jenna’s life prior to the murder and her life as a prisoner, the author reveals the good, the bad and the ugly in equal measures, she doesn’t leave any stone unturned.

As Jenna steps through HMP Fallenbrook and catches her first glimpse of prison life, the author expertly describes Jenna’s thoughts and feelings and captures the fear that shrouds the prison I found myself becoming more and more anxious for her. The scenes are brutal, and yet there are also the scenes that are emotionally charged and heartbreakingly sad, and made me question my own assumptions of the treatment of women in prison. As you would expect in a prison drama, pack mentality rears its ugly head and usually in a book of this nature the protagonist comes out on top, but that isn’t the case for poor Jenna, because of the nature of her crimes she’s vilified by her fellow inmates, bullied and treated shockingly by the guards.


On My Life moves masterfully between the present and Jenna’s past, although this gives an insight into her current predicament, it also explores her difficult childhood and her relationship with her fiancé and his family. I would be lying if I said I didn’t guess the mystery of the “who” but you know what? this really didn’t matter, as it was to the “why” I couldn’t fathom out and kept me so engrossed in this book, I must admit when the big reveal came I gave a very satisfied sigh. On My Life is a riveting, character driven novel, which is superbly plotted, this is definitely one book I will be recommending to anyone and everyone.

This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog

While the premise of the book appealed to me, I found it to be rather slow and just couldn't connect with the characters. That said, the book was well written and I feel the author can build her writing talents without a problem. I would read more books from this author.

I have conflicted feelings about this book. I was fascinated by description of the prison life and routines, and this was what held my interest to the end. However, there was not much depth to the characters and I found the plot repetitive and predictable. I am sure On My Life will appeal to many readers, it just wasn't for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton publishers for the ARC.

What a fantastic book. I was worried as I loved the previous books featuring Nas and Freddie and grew to love them as characters so this departure filled me with a bit of trepidation. Needless to say I should not have been worried. The book is brilliant and I do not want to spoil anything by giving too much away.
I t is safe to say it is partly set in a women's prison and this is where Angela really comes into her own as a story teller. You can actually feel the tension and claustrophobia with the walls.
The story moves along flashing back to the crime and prison life. Who did it well you will have to read to find out but it had me captivated right up to the final page.

A very enjoyable read! I was very interested in getting my hands on this one after I read the blurb and I am pleased to say that I was not let down.

The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page. I would recommend this read!

#OnMyLife #NetGalley If you are looking for a book to read in virtually one sitting, this book is definitely it. It kept me turning the pages way into the night. I really felt for the character of Jenna, the depiction of prison life was terrifying and harrowing at times. I could almost feel the tension in the prison. At little bit repetitious in parts and I felt that Jenna's solicitor was a complete waste of space but nevertheless a book that kept the tension and excitement throughout the story. An ending that I didn't see coming which is always a thrill. The first book I have read by this author but definitely wont be the last.

Brilliant book. Couldn't stop till I finished it!
What a thrill . Who you think it is well it definitely isn't .
Angela's best book so far.
Best book I've read for a long time.
Great story so good to read.
Thank you