The image of her - Sonia a Velton

Sorry this book expired before I had a chance to read it. Shame as I was looking forward to this one

The book follows two narratives, that of Stella, who is writing to Connie (whose side of the story is told in the third person). You know that they are linked together in some way, but not how. The surprising and tragic details are gradually revealed. The novel has a strong emotional resonance and you’ll be thinking about it for long afterwards. I liked the setting too – English families living in Dubai, with Filipina housemaids. The way that the novel incorporates humanitarian themes and examines the nature of memory, while also creating believable characters and keeping the pace going, is so impressive.

This was a brilliant read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The relationship between the two characters does not become clear until near the end and I would never have guessed it! Was engaged with the storyline right from the first page. Highly recommended and well deserves the 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley

I really wanted to engage and enjoy this book but I’m sorry to say the characters were too flat and two dimensional and because the reveal of the connection between the two women doesn’t occur until the end, this made reading and understanding their motivations difficult. There were big subject matters tackled in the book (dementia, mental abuse, suicide and the plight of immigrant workers in the Middle East) but unfortunately they were handled superficially.

4.5⭐

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from Quercus and NetGalley.

This is a very clever book! Two seemingly completely different and unconnected characters and their very different lives. I did guess the twist about 2/3s through, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book because I still wanted to know how and when.

The book also covered some relevant and topical social and political issues but without being overbearing.

My favourite quote:
"Theirs was real love, messy and futile. Something almost unbearably sweet to be savoured for the briefest of moments before it's taken away from you. Just like that pear."

Having loved Sonia Velton’s debut novel Blackberry and Wild Rose I could not wait to read this. I was initially surprised that The Image of Her does not fall into the category of historical fiction. What it did provide me with was a dual timeline masterpiece which absolutely blind-sided me with such a finely nuanced and intricately woven contemporary story.

The story arc of both women created such a compelling and dramatic narrative.

Stella spent her life being constantly put down by her narcissistic mother. She does not get to live her own life the way that she would have liked when she becomes a full-time carer to her mother who develops dementia in later life. Following the death of her mother, Stella remains a recluse, hiding in her home with only the delivery of clothes she will send back as her only enjoyment. As she tries to recall her past, she finds that her own memory of events has framed both her past and her present. The only person she feels truly connected to is Connie, an expat living a glamorous life in Dubai, and her only knowledge of Connie is what she sees on social media.

Connie’s life in Dubai is not quite as exotic or as happy as it seems on social media, and she gets caught up in concerns about modern day slavery in the housemaids who support the exotic lifestyles. In the same way that Stella gave up her life to care for her mother, Connie sacrificed a successful career to support her husband’s career.

The parallels between Connie and Stella, and what links them are spoilers that I am not willing to even hint at. You will need to read this incredible novel for yourself.

The ending of the novel and the inspiration for the novel itself really touched me, and prompted me to do some research, giving me food for thought.

The Image of Her is a stunning second novel by Sonia Velton and one that will stay with me for a long time.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The subject matter of the narrative is unique BUt it is difficult to say what that uniqueness is as it will surely spoil the unfolding of the story.

The narrative is told in two voices; those of Stella and connie. There is almost a 3rd person feeling aboutt Connie's narrative. I went through several scenarios of How Stella and Connie are connected before the eventual reveal. The story-line is clever and the author has included lots of emotional turbulence, attempted suicide, dementia, possible infidelity, abuse of the vulnerable and perhaps therin lies the problems I had with the novel. It did not fully hold my attention and I struggled at times to see where it was going. I think it is very narrative driven and I found it difficult to really get to grips with either of the main characters.

I am glad I pushed through to finish and it is a decent enough read just not up there in my favourites

A gréât thriller that combines twists and turns to a full ending that will keep you thinking about. Fully recommend

This book gripped me from the very beginning with its themes of isolation, loneliness and dealing with a relative with whom you have a destructive relationship but then they end up dependent upon you.
It was moving, heart-breaking and yet in the same vein, uplifting and inspiring of hope for such a complex subject. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this arc in return for a fair and honest review.

This was a lovely book despite the jumping back and forth. It wasn’t an easy read and took me a few attempts to finish it. My determination to read it paid off and all I can say is wow. The twist, in my opinion, was epic!!

Brilliant book. Draws you in and keeps you guessing. Highly recommended. Definitely leaves you wanting to read just on3 more chapter

This is a difficult one to review without giving away a major part of the novel!

A two perspective novel following Connie and Stella as a twist of fate makes their lives collide.

I enjoyed this for the most part, it wasn't the most hooked on a book I've ever been but as the story progressed I was really intrigued as to where it was going. I did figure out the plot twist, but I don't think that would be that difficult to do.

An easy read with an unusual storyline.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review</i>

I enjoyed this book, and it kept me guessing for a while - I thought, initially, that Stella and Connie were connected in a quite different way to that which was revealed! It was refreshing to read something with a new idea, and the reason for their connection was both surprising and strange.
I found the passages where Stella is addressing Connie directly a little hard-going, with the constant use of 'I'm talking to you Connie' a little intrusive. It pulled me out of a story I would have been happy to be pulled properly ito. The secondary characters - the delivery guy; Stella' truly awful mother, the domestic staff in Connie's world, were beautifully drawn and as rounded as the main characters, if not more so. In fact, the side story of the maids was almost more compelling than the main plotline and I'd love the author to examine this further in a future work.
I'd certainly read this author again, and it is only the incessant interruption of 'you, Connie' that left it at less than 5 stars.

In “The Image of Her” we meet Stella, a 39-year-old woman who has suffered a recent trauma and now lives alone and cut off from the world. In her possession she has a letter from a man called Mark, and her outlet to the world is the social media profile of Mark’s wife Connie. The chapters move back and forth between the two women as their stories unfold.

Connie’s life with her husband and two young children in Dubai initially seems very far-removed from that of Stella, who is based in the UK and has been acting as carer for her increasingly abusive elderly mother. However, it is clear that there is a link between them although it isn’t revealed until later in the story.

While I liked the structure of the book, I found the two parallel stories rather inconsistent and they didn’t always hold my interest fully. Some poignant issues were raised but I didn’t find myself as deeply drawn into the story as I expected. Having said that, it certainly isn’t conventional and the writing was lovely.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

The Image of Her is a suspenseful and gripping story. There are two protagonists, two women - Connie and Stella. There are lots that break them apart, like the different countries they live in and thousands of miles are between them. Even if there is such a massive distance between them, you will undercover the mysterious connection between them. It will be a very emotional journey when you notice the cruelty of our own world, how ruthless we could become and how easily we can hurt others.
Even if the writing style is a bit specific, I am impressed about the construction of this book, the way how Sonia Velton slowly invites you to step by step the pages of this fiction literature. It is worth mentioning that it is a book that will stay with you for a longer time, will fall into your heart and memories and even maybe change your point of view - who knows. It is because of the moral dilemma, cruelty, well-constructed plot, twists and turns - all together brilliantly manipulated into a compelling novel. Very original and gripping story.
The perfect reading for a late autumn evening, highly recommended.

Thank you, NetGalley and Quercus Books, for an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book and didn't get the twist until it happened. The premise was good and the characters were believable.
Connie had moved to Dubai and it was interesting to read about the realities of that and how difficult it can be. I felt sorry for the housekeeper who was treated badly and felt she had no way to escape. However I felt more sorry for Stella and her missed opportunities because of her overbearing mother. She seemed to have been dealt all of the bad cards. I was glad she was beginning to make tentative steps to improve her life.

Thank you to Netgalley for this gift of this book.

It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I was enthralled. Two women connected, but how?

Stella has been a prisoner in her own home. Caring for her mother who has dementia has left her feeling isolated and trapped. Her relationship with her mother is complex. A cruel and heartless woman, she has ruined Stella's life.

Connie is living in Dubai with husband Mark, and children, Alice and Ruben. From her social media it appears she lives an idyllic life, but this is not the truth. She is disturbed by the injustice she sees around her, and increasingly distant from her husband.

We're given little nuggets of information throughout the story, but the connection between the women is certainly one I could never have guessed.

The writing is sublime, nuanced and full of poignancy. The closing words certainly brought a tear to my eye.

The Image of Her is definitely a slow burner but a wonderful story that captivated me and most certainly a book I would read again.

I really enjoyed this book. It took a little while to get to, as there are two distinct storylines and I couldn't really understand the connection. When it is revealed though - Wow! Highly recommended.

This book was not what I was expecting. It was thought provoking and emotional in places and beautifully written. However I found my interest waning at times and didn't engage fully with it. It was a good read overall but too slow a burn for me and emotive subjects. The writing and characters are good. It was more a psychological thriller rather than a 'thriller'. I would try something by Sonia Velton again in the future.

The description by the author:

Stella and Connie have never met and never will. So why is Stella stalking Connie's every move on social media?

Stella lives with her mother, a smothering narcissist. Her world has shrunk since the terrible accident that left her a shut-in. Her days are broken up by deliveries from a courier that she always returns and by the irresistible urge to watch the life of a stranger - beautiful Connie - unfold on social media. But why is she so drawn to a woman she has never met? And what caused the accident she doesn't want to speak about?

Connie is an expat living in Dubai with her partner, Mark, and their two children. On the face of it she wants for nothing and yet she fears that her husband is turning into a stranger. When she finds herself drawn into the lives of the local domestic helpers, she discovers that there are dark secrets in this glittering city.

Two women with nothing in common except a twist of fate. What happens when their lives collide?

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus publishers for an Arc in exchange for an honest review

This book gripped me from the very beginning with its themes of isolation, loneliness and dealing with a relative with whom you have a destructive relationship but then they end up dependent upon you. It covers difficult subjects sensitively and the way in which incidents in the story link two families with very different lives, highly recommended,