The Image of Her by Sonia Velton is a book about identity, loss, change and acceptance. Narrated by two women, Stella and Connie - strangers who've never met but who share something very personal. I loved the depth of character of Stella and Connie and their families, and particularly the detail about expat life in Dubai. The story twists and turns through the narrative, bouncing between the present and near-past. It explores aspects of family life, modern slavery and the life of an unpaid carer. A powerful, thought-provoking must-read for 2021.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a well constructed, interesting read about two women whose lives are brought together by traumatic events. It's a poignant, engaging read and one that pulls you in to the emotional stories.

The characters are really well written but there were elements that I felt rather frustrated by and had to push through to keep reading as I lost interest part way through. However, the ending is worth it.

Overall, a decent 3* read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus books for the opportunity to preview.

What a fantastic story read in two dittongs and would highly recommend.

The story is is told by 2 different women whose lives are juxtaposed- yet the author does not reveal why until some way through the book. One is living in Dubai which to anyone else would be an idyllic scenario, another is living with her mother who is controlling.

You want to keep reading to see how they know one another and also find out how their lives turn out. Great story

Thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book.
I found the “ conversation” Stella was having with Connie fascinating and admit I did not see the connection between them at all till about 75% through the book. Connie’s temporary life in Dubai was I am sure a reflection of many wives who move there with their husbands but the added interest of trying to help Marijo with her uncaring and cruel “madam” was great. Am sure a lot of these people are treated this way.
The only criticism is that the ending was too abrupt for me, I am sure a bit more could have been made of it.
Look forward to reading more of Sonia Velton’s books.

Two seemingly unrelated women thousands of miles apart in England and Dubai..

What connects them?

I was intrigued by this story from the start but I only “got” the connection when the author decided to let us into the secret.

I felt that the 2 protagonists were exceptionally well portrayed as was the daily grind of the ex-pat wife in Dubai; the schools for the children, the boredom of compound life, the maid issues …. all beautifully described.

It’s not a thriller but uncovering the link between the women was thrilling in its own special way.

I highly recommend this book and my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Connie lives in Dubai with her husband and children. From her social media pages she seems to be living the dream, but in reality she is lonely and has lost her sense of purpose.
Stella lives alone in England, friendless and reclusive. She is stalking Connie on social media, even though they have never met.
As the story unfolds, with both women sharing the narrative, we find out what links these two women to each other.
As well as the main plot the author also explores the subjects of immigrant workers and dementia with sensitivity and insight.
I wouldn’t describe this book as a thriller, and whilst I enjoyed the book, I guessed what linked them very early on.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a surprisingly moving read. The plot unfolds carefully, keeping you gripped as you try to understand the connection between Stella and Connie and the complexities of their lives - and how what happens, happens.

I really couldn't put this down and given the number of complex issues covered in the book - alzheimers, people trafficking, transplants, suicide, infidelity, Velton handles them all with a light and skillful touch.

This book deserves to do well.

Having recently read "Blackberry and Wild Rose" by Sonia Velton, I was really pleased to be able to read her second novel so quickly.. "The Image of Her" is a very different book to her first one, as this is set in modern times. I'll have to admit that I hadn't really got a clue what was going on until 75% of the way through when it suddenly clicked. For some this might be off-putting but for me, it's a sign of good writing, as you want to know what is going on. There doesn't seem to be much linking Stella and Connie except for Connie's husband Mark. Both women's worlds are complete contrasts - Stella living as a recluse in London (what is she hiding from?) and Connie adjusting to a new life with her family in Dubai. Both lives are beautifully created and when you find out how they are linked, it all falls into place. Such a wonderful read!

3.5*
Thank you to Netgalley, Quercus and So is Velton for my arc of The Image of Her in exchange for an honest review.

Out now

Two women who have never met are connected by the closest bond. Tragic events miles apart pulling them together. Stella lives with her mother, a controlling narcissist and pressure on Stella has increased since her mother was diagnosed with dementia, requiring round the clock care. While Stella recovers from a near fatal accident she finds herself confiding in Connie, a woman she has never met, but the only woman she feels can understand what she is going through. Connie is an expat living with her husband Mark and their 2 children in Dubai. Used to working full time back in England she is finding it hard to adjust to the glittering city and the laid back lifestyle of ‘wife’ and ‘mother’ she is now expected to fill.

This is a difficult book to review without giving anything away but I will try my best. I enjoyed this author’s previous book BlackBerry & Wild Rose and was keen to give her latest a go. I certainly found it interesting and enjoyed the exploration of the two characters life and was shocked how they eventually came together, because it is certainly not in a way you’d expect. I thought the exploration of several topics were interesting such as the humanitarian issues surrounding the employment of Filipino maids in Dubai as well as the complex issues of dementia and in particular narcissistic mothers.

All in all I would recommend this book as an interesting read which brings something altogether different and brand new to the table.

I was thrilled to receive a copy of this contemporary upmarket thriller. Although I hadn’t read anything by Sonia Velton, I knew by the standard of the writing and pace it would be an enjoyable read. The plot follows two points of view, Stella and Connie — one living in England and the other an expat mother living in Dubai. I had no idea how these two lives would intersect, but I did get the sense the book would touch on many relevant and soul destroying issues in the process.

Stella, a recluse after a near fatal accident, is healing slowly. Even makeup can’t cover the scars on her face or the fractured stranger she has become. She misses going to the library, a connection to the outside world. She has little in common with Connie, a happily married mother of two living in the UAE. Stella, written in first person narrative, confides in Connie through her thoughts, and at the same time struggles with the abuse she receives from her controlling mother. She watches Connie through the lens of social media — a privileged housewife who seems to have everything. But as the dual narrative unravels, it’s easy to see how underneath it all both women are shackled to disillusionment, their lives eroding with each page. But what is it that binds them?

Connie is a mother and a wife. Her feelings of isolation are due to Mark working late and somewhat disengaged with the kids. She feels unsupported and that their once close solid relationship is unravelling. One perfect example is the school fete where Mark, partly due to a work-do hangover, is desperate to leave. Rosamie, the Filipino nanny, is working to pay for Gabriel’s education. With Marijo in trouble comes another set of problems for Rosamie. Even with the kafala system being reformed, it can’t protect all the migrant workers against abuse. But Stella has an idea. For me, this provided a tinge of excitement, a possible turning point.

What bond or common heritage do these women share? A tragic and yet inspiring read that is dedicated to an astonishingly brave woman. The compassion the reader has for each character is the mark of excellent writing and the tension kept me engaged till the emotional end.

Huge thanks to the publisher, Quercus, the author Sonia Velton and to Netgalley for the privilege of reading this book. #TheImageofHer #NetGalley

The Image of Her is a contemporary upmarket domestic thriller rich in fast-paced drama and atmosphere. It tells the tale of two very different women who live thousands of miles apart but whose relationship transcend the continents and the rolling seas between them. The book's plot follows two strangers, 39-year-old Stella and Connie, who have been brought together by two traumatic events linking them forever. One is a woman living in suburban England and the other an ex-pat mother-of-two in Dubai, and their stories intertwine despite their many differences. Stella opens each chapter by speaking to Connie about her life and what has brought her to a place where her only contact with the outside world is the daily drop-off from her delivery driver, Evgeni. She is reluctant to open the door and confides in Connie about her mother’s struggle with dementia and how caring for her has taken a terrible toll on her own life due to the torrent of abuse she faces from her. The toxicity wheedled its way into their relationship a while ago and it is now right at home.

Stella perceives Connie’s life as charmed (observing it through social media alone), but behind the beaches and brunches, Connie is being drawn into a much darker side of Dubai. Connie is living in Dubai with her husband and young family but is struggling with what her role now is in a country where housemaids are the norm and women tend not to work. She becomes embroiled in helping a Filipino maid in trouble as a distraction from her marriage which seems to be slowly falling apart. This is a compelling and deeply suspenseful thriller with a subtlety and nuance to it and at its heart is a complex, and thought-provoking, connection between two female protagonists who are both somewhat lost and disillusioned at this stage of their lives. The dual narrative unravels slowly but surely bringing the destiny of the women closer together before it entwines and it's clever, convincing and full of surprises. The narrative evokes sympathy for the characters and reminds us that you can never really know what is going on behind closed doors. Highly recommended.

This story is told from the points of view of Stella and Connie. They live thousands of miles apart, have never met and yet seem to be intimately connected. Stella lives in the UK. She looked after her toxic mother who had dementia and has had a terrible accident which has led to her hiding herself away. Connie lives the life of a typical expat in Dubai, but feels she doesn't really fit in with the life of riches and privilege it offers her. Through their narratives we learn how they live, what their personalities are like and how they came to be connected.

I enjoyed this book. The revelations are well done with none of the 'teasing' that so often accompanies the unveiling of secrets. Instead it comes about very naturally. The characters are all well developed with some of the minor characters such as Connie's in-laws (with their micro aggressive comments) being very well observed indeed. What also comes across well is the horrible situation of some of the domestic help. I wasn't quite convinced by how this was resolved but there is a lot of tension there.. Overall then, a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Two women Connie and Stella, living different lives, and live nowhere near each other. Somehow they both are connected and they know one another but they have never met. How is this even possible you might ask, I guess you will have to read the book..

The image of her is a slow burn book but it's a beautifully written novel. I kept reading the novel because I wanted to know what the connection between Connie and Stella was. I was drawn into Stella's story more because her chapters were told in a way where you get a basic understanding but pieces were missing which made it intriguing. But the pieces that were missing were explained in the end.

I won't go into too much detail about what the connection is, only because it would defeat the purpose of the story. However I will say how I enjoyed the significance of the story and I really liked how Sonia reflected both of the characters' lives in the stories.

Book is out now.

Thank you Netgalley, Quercus for the gifting of the eARC and to Sonia Velton for writing such a lovely book.

The image of her by Sonia Velton is a story of friendship and belonging and how these can be found in the most unlikely of places. The story is told from two perspectives, firstly Stella's she has turned into a recluse after a near fatal accident, she is now finding a new friendship with Connie and is regaling her story. Connie, a mother of two in Dubai is struggling with the loss of her friends, job, life as she knew it, she is primarily a good person and wants to do good. The link between the two women is hinted at early on but the actual events that join them are developed throughout the book to its conclusion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, both of the characters are well researched and written, the side characters are also classic, Connie's in-laws and Stella's neighbor, spot on! The plot of the book may read like a thriller, leading to a twist but if you read closely enough you understand the link just not the details, which makes it more of a page turner, you know the what but need to know the how? the who? The why? Sounds cryptic I know, but I don't want to spoil it!
There are lots of sensitive topics covered and they have been given justice, a well written, interesting story of a novel concept, I'll be reading her next book.
Overall, a very enjoyable read with sympathetic characters, a novel plot line and interesting story. 5*
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC.

I really enjoyed Sonia Velton’s Blackberry and Wild Rose so was intrigued to see what Sonia Velton would write next. The Image of Her is a different book altogether, contemporary rather than historical, but the storytelling is just as compelling.

The Image of Her is about two women; Stella and Connie. Two women, half a world away from each other with little in common or so you might think. Stella is our first person narrator. A teaching assistant who once had dreams of becoming more, but who, instead, ended up living with her bitter and controlling mother; a mother who has spent years taking out her frustrations on her only daughter, belittling her dreams and suffocating her spirit.

Connie on the other hand, is a happily married mother of two. She has recently agreed to park her successful career in order to facilitate her husband Mark’s career by moving to Dubai, where the opportunities for a better lifestyle are calling out. Connie should be content, but the life of an ex-pat isn’t for everyone and she feels a bit rudderless without a career and is less than happy about the course of her relationship with Mark which has felt less and less like a partnership since they relocated.

Stella’s story comes out slowly, in tantalising drips. In a funny way, hers is a story that I empathise with. She doesn’t go out. Her only relationship comes with the delivery man who brings her parcels and comes back days later to return them. As someone whose most intimate (i.e. face to face) and enduring relationship during lockdown was with my postman, I know how much she must have looked forward to that knock on her door.

Not that Stella looks him in the eye. She’s clearly had some medical procedure from which she is recovering, judging by the drugs she has to take, and she slides her parcels in through a gap in the door.

Stella is spending her time thinking about her past and reliving some of her relationship with her mother. As she does so, she is also looking at Connie’s life, searching her out on social media; seeing what she can piece together from her photographs and posts. The contrast between their lives could not be more different, but each woman feels herself caught in a prison from which escape seem increasingly impossible.

Both these women are beautifully realised by Sonia Velton. Both have stories that are compelling and the way she allows her characters to speak creates a tense and fractious feeling in the reader, sometimes so much that I held my breath waiting for the tension to appease.

In Connie’s story, Velton does not gloss over the harsh realities of living in Dubai and the compromises Connie has to make in all aspects of her life in order to live there. As with a recent read, Christy Lefteri’s Songbirds, the problems of economic migrants feature heavily.

But what is at the heart of this gripping and engaging novel are Velton’s wholly engrossing portraits of these two women whose sense of self has been eroded so far as to make them feel invisible. And what Velton achieves by framing her story in this way – by making the lives of these two women intersect in the most unusual way – is to highlight the importance of knowing your own worth, of finding a way to project your own image to the rest of society and of being able to hold your head up when all seems lost.

Verdict: The Image of Her is a taut, beautifully told and mesmerising story that touches on many relevant issues surrounding care, mental health and well-being. More than that though, it is a compelling portrait of two women whose stories are linked in the most unusual of ways. Tense, transfixing, thought-provoking, this is a book that will stay with me.

Stella is recovering after a very painful operation. She spends her time looking at Connie’s life through a letter she receives from Mark and through Connie’s face book pages. What is the fascination with a woman and her family in Dubai? Connie has gone there her husband Mark. She goes with him and their children for a job over there but Connie has given up her own good job to go there with him and live an expat’s life. Stella is living with pain and trying to work out what has happened to her. The only input she has apart from medics is with the delivery driver who keeps bringing her clothes that she always seems to return.
Just what is going on between these two women? Mark seems to be the only link. I won’t tell you what is happening as it would spoil the story but it is a moving read and you will feel for both women in their lives.

Stella and Connie have never met but have a unique connection, which is slowly revealed in this interesting story. Stella lives in the UK with her mother, who she struggles to care for when she is diagnosed with dementia. A tragedy follows and Stella is unable to leave the house and face the world.
Connie lives in Dubai with her husband, Mark, and their two beautiful children. The ex-pat lifestyle is not quite the life Connie was expecting. Wanting more from life than manicures and lunches, Connie becomes involved in the troubles of a neighbour's housemaid and the kafala system.
This book unfolds with both stories running alongside each other. The link between Stella and Connie is sensitively unfurled.
My reason for only giving 4 stars, is that I felt the ending was a little weak. Still an enjoyable and thought-provoking book though.
Thanks to Netgalley UK and Quercus Books for this ARC.

Two women, one man, living far apart, yet irreversibly connected.
Brilliant read!
Seriously, I had one idea in my mind about what this book was going to be about, and though I clicked, partway through, the twists and turns to get to the conclusion were gripping!
The stories of the two women, how we move from the present to the past, the takes interweaving, to create this blanket of connections... was fantastic!
I can't write much, as I would give the story away, but it's good, trust me!
Loved it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. This book was very well written and played out well. The characters where brilliant. Connie been my favourite character. The ending was brilliant too. Well worth 5 stars I will be recommending this book to everyone to read.

I didn’t have a clue where this story was going. I was totally immersed in reading as I needed to know what had happened and who was who! What an intriguing storyline, which must have taken an awful lot of research too. I was really impressed by the author’s knowledge on certain subjects contained in the plot.

Written in chapters from the main two characters, Stella and Connie, who have never met. We follow both their background stories and gradually get to understand more about the two women and the problems in their lives. How they are connected isn’t revealed until late on, but wow, what a surprise!

Really well written and due to the obvious research, totally believable.

I have never read anything by this author before so I am really glad I was lucky enough to receive an arc. Many thanks to netgalley, the publishers and the author.