I never repeat the blurb - a quick and easy read - cover to cover in one afternoon. Good plot, nice and fast moving which makes a change. Lots of twists - you start to wonder who you can trust but go with your gut and ignore red herrings...if you can identify the red herrings...

Someone's hurting the most vulnerable person in your life but they can't tell you who it is.
What would you do?
Shy Kate finds mysterious bruises on her mother's arms and she fears the worse.Her mother has early dementia she says nothing happened it was an accident.
Has she just forgotten because of her illness or is something more sinster happening?
After the deaths of her father and brother and the suicide of her partner how much more can Kate take.
I didn't enjoy this book it was to negative for me but I look forward to reading more from the author in the future. Thank you to Netgalley and lume books for the arc

Kate Kinely has a lot going on in her life. She's recovering from the loss of her father, brother, and boyfriend...she's caring for her ailing mother...and she's struggling to get ahead at her job. When her mother takes a turn for the worse she hires Ruby, a highly recommended caregiver. But once Ruby moves in things start going wrong...mysterious notes show up on Kate's door...damage is done to her property...and worst of all bruises begin to appear on her mother's arms. Kate must uncover the truth before it's too late.


This was book left a lot to be desired. While the plot is an intriguing one the story unfolded in such a straightforward manner there was very little suspense. Why I it took Kate SO LONG to suspect the bad guy was up to no good was beyond me. Then again it's very obvious from the get go Kate isn't the brightest crayon in the box (actually all of the characters are cartoonish and terribly underdeveloped as people). The book also kicked up a bunch of questions that were never really answered and the few answers the reader does get are pretty far fetched. I will say the chapters were short so the pace moved along nicely, but that's really the only positive thing I can say about this book.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to Lume Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

This was a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish with a great storyline, interesting cast of characters and all capped off by skilful writing. It's well worth your time if you appreciate great storytellers.

Jane Holland Keep Me Close Lume Books. 2021.

Kate has suffered the deaths of her father and brother and the suicide of her partner, David. However, she has a promising career, working full time as an editor in a publishing company. Despite her mother having dementia, Kate is enabled in her career as a carer and a house cleaner deal with many of her mother’s needs. The novel begins with Kate observing David’s friend, Logan, in the street as she hastily purchases items for her mother after a hard day at work. Failing to avoid this reminder of the past, she soon welcomes Logan into her life. When her mother’s carer does not arrive for an evening when Kate and Logan plan to go out, Kate falls back on an alternative, based on a friend’s past suggestion. Ruby becomes the permanent carer, and member of the household, the previous carer seemingly having gone on an extended holiday.

When Kate’s mother shows signs of fear, and physical abuse, Kate becomes suspicious of the family lawyer. He has suggested that Kate’s attempt to take power of attorney is dependent on her mother’s consent. Similarly, the other professional involved in the case, the doctor, insists on the right of a person with dementia to have their opinions treated with respect. Ill at ease with these sentiments, and with figures lurking in the garden, a broken security light, threatening and abusive notes about David’s death, and difficulties at work, Kate’s life spirals downwards.

I found Kate a worryingly unsympathetic character. She is balancing difficulties at work with a misogynist boss and brutal author with concerns about her mother’s needs, and the entry of a new person into her life. At the same time, her background of guilt about David’s suicide, and loss of him and her father and brother, provide reasons for her behaviour. However, despite features that would usually elicit my compassion, I could not warm to this character. I felt that Kate appeared remarkably uncaring, despite her protestations of concern for her mother. She becomes quickly involved with Logan, attempts to involve the cleaner (who is somewhat surly) in her mother’s care, and does not follow up on her mother’s fears when her career is at stake. At work, she seems reluctant, to the level of absurdity, in dealing with the misogynist behaviour of her boss and author. Drink appears to be her ‘go to’ support, despite knowing that she has both professional and domestic issues to deal with. There is the occasional nod to a feminist approach to these problems, but these are swiftly followed by Kate’s actions that undermine any notion of her strength and determination to be self-reliant.

The plot has some strengths and weaknesses. Early in Kate and Logan’s relationship their discussion shows a glimpse of the woman Kate has been – someone who helps others, is passionate about healthy living, and a pleasant companion. These observations help demonstrate the negative impact of David’s suicide on Kate’s current conduct. Moving on to the detection elements of the plot, although several characters exhibit suspicious traits, the perpetrator of the notes, cruelty and frightening episodes is somewhat predictable. To be fair, the explanation advanced for this behaviour has some authenticity, and there are some moments in which the intention is well hidden.

I found Keep Me Close an unsatisfying read. I would have liked to have found Kate an engaging character, after all she is contending with issues that are part of a modern woman’s life: conflicts between work and domestic demands; the need to organise care, whether it is for children or an aged parent; relationships that leave unease behind them, and the need to develop new friendships; death of loved ones. Unfortunately, some of the epithets hurled at her by the perpetrator near the end of the novel rang a little too true. That these were from a character whose behaviour is indefensible is rather disconcerting about a main character with whom a reader is expected to identify, or at least feel sympathetic.

Writing: 5/5
Plot/Concept: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Surprising factors: 4/5
-------------> 4.6/5 ----------> 5/5 stars :)

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have liked every book this author has written and this was no exception. Fast paced story telling, great characters and had me hooked to the end. Would recommend.

Firstly what a fantastic idea for a plot! Keep Me Close had me on the edge of my seat throughout.

So good I read it in one sitting! Highly recommended.
4.5/5

This was quite a twisty read where Kate had a few things happening to her in a short span of time. With a mountain of work, bad personal life, and a mother suffering from dementia, she had her hands full. With nasty notes piling up, she had to work quickly to find out who was behind it all.

My first book by this author, the story was slightly formulaic and predictable, but I still enjoyed it. Some of the turns in the story were a surprise so that was fun.

An entertaining read.

This thriller is amazing. I really didn’t fight with the characters and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I highly recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley and Lume Books for the eARC.
Kate Kinley has a busy job in publishing and a mother at home with rapidly worsening dementia. When the carer who usually looks after her mum doesn't show up, she hires a new one, She's mourning the loss of her boyfriend by suicide,
getting nasty threatening notes, constantly fears being fired by her nasty boss, tries fitting in a new romantic relationship as well as suffering many other setbacks. I found it overwhelming and got tired of the constant negative happenings, to the point where I gave up and went to the end (I had guessed right as to the culprit). I didn't like Kate or the decisions she made, so I couldn't enjoy the book. Sorry!

Picked this book up yesterday and read it at every opportunity since. The story had more twists and turns than a country road! I am not going to give a stitch away from this tapestry of lies and life stories and angst. Very much a must read!.

In Keep Me Close, Holland produces a story about a dementia patient that is being harmed. There are plenty of people who could be the culprit. I enjoyed reading this book although I was able to know who done it before it was revealed. This was an easy read and I finished it in nearly one sitting.

Unfortunately, I am unable to download this file so will not be providing feedback at this time. I would be most interested, however, to review this title in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for putting this one on my radar. Stars have been awarded on the basis an intriguing premise.