The premise of this book had me so intrigued. It sounded suspensful and exciting with such an original plot, but unfortunately it felt short of that. The book almost read like a YA.

Psychologists say that we all know psychopaths in our lives, but that we often have a difficult time identifying them due to their uncanny ability to manipulate and charm, giving back to us what we want to receive in a relationship. Vera Kurian’s debut novel is about those “plainclothes psychopaths,” the ones that you “never see coming.”

Kurian spins a murder mystery around the unique concept of seven psychopaths being invited to participate in a study at a D.C. college in exchange for a full ride at the university. They only have to agree to be evaluated and participate in a variety of “tests” designed to get into their unique minds. Things go astray, however, when someone begins murdering the psychopaths. Is it one of their own or has someone lifted their veil of anonymity, targeting them for what they are?

Never Saw Me Coming is told from multiple POVs, following three students from the study. The star of the novel is Chloe, who specifically chose to attend Adams University because it is where her nemesis Will goes to school. Chloe is clever and arrogant, and she WILL kill Will for what he did to her when they were kids … she only has to find him and manipulate him first. Then there’s Andre, whose parents wouldn’t be able to afford to send him to college if it weren’t for the study. The only problem is he hasn’t actually told him that he is IN the study … they think he won a scholarship to the university, which complicates things when he literally finds himself running for his life. Charles was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A psychopath with unlimited means born into a toxic family could be dangerous in the wrong hands, but Charles tries to keep himself grounded through his long-term relationship with his girlfriend. When the murders get too close for comfort, Chloe, Andre, and Charles team up to uncover the culprit who is picking off the psychopaths one by one, but will they figure it out whodunnit before their number comes up?

Vera Kurian has a Doctorate of Social Psychology, and she skillfully applies her knowledge to Never Saw Me Coming. Kurian has shared that psychopaths come in all shapes & sizes, and she demonstrates that through the vastly different Chloe, Andre, and Charles, who provide us with a broad scope of psychopathy in multiple forms. Her characters are vivid and intriguing, albeit a bit stereotypical when it comes to race and privilege (Chloe and Charles are white and Andre is black, neither of which is Kurian).

Chloe, the standout psychopath from this novel, quickly steals the show and sucks you into her sinister, twisted world. Because Chloe puts on a charming, smiling face to the world, you “never see her coming,” but we as readers have the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of a psychopath’s mind and delve into what’s really going on in there. Despite her nefarious intentions, Chloe is darkly humorous and razor sharp in wit. She makes for a highly entertaining protagonist, albeit one who is not quite right in the mind.

Never Saw Me Coming is pretty great up until the point where we start to figure out just who is killing psychopaths at Adams University. The pay off at the end of the novel wasn’t satisfying to me, and I found myself losing interest. I was hoping the ending was as clever as the rest of this book, but found myself disappointed. Nonetheless, the overall reading experience was enjoyable, and I recommend this book to those who love Caroline Kepnes’ You series, due to both works getting into the minds of the unhinged and deranged.

I was given the opportunity to listen to an audiobook of this novel narrated by Brittany Pressley. I will recommend anything narrated by Pressley! She gives a clear, modern voices to characters and brings them to life through her skillful narration.

Chloe Sevre is not your typical college freshman. Yes, she likes frat parties, leggings, and the local coffee shop. Chloe chose John Adams University for two reasons, she got a full-ride scholarship to take part in a program for psychopaths and it would give her easy access to Will Bachman, the man she wants to murder. Chloe is one of seven taking part in the program for psychopaths. She is not supposed to know who the others are in the group, but she has figured out at least two other participants. Charles is an upperclassman from a wealthy, connected family who has learned how to live with his diagnosis. Andre was from a working-class DC family who saw his full-ride scholarship as the answer to their prayers. And then members of the program get murdered. Any of them could have done it, but who is responsible, and what happens when they go after Chloe?



I wasn't sure what to expect from Never Saw Me Coming, but I got a fast-paced thriller with a unique premise. Remember, Chloe is a psychopath. Knowing that gave me permission to not like her. She is a pretty unlikable character. Andre was the only one that I kind of liked, but the reasons are revealed later. You can see the evolution of psychopaths in the program by seeing how different Chloe and Charles are in the way they handle their diagnosis. I am not sure if the big surprise ending was ironic or just shocking. CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS



Bottom Line - Never Saw Me Coming was better than I expected from a new author. I look forward to seeing what she does next.



Details:

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
On Twitter
Pages: 400
Publisher: Park Row Books
Publication Date: 9/7/2021
Buy it Here!
Thanks to NetGalley for the book in exchange for a review.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have never wanted to have a book made into a movie so much in my entire life. I really enjoyed this book the whole way through. I chuckled through part of it. It took me back to the 90s/00s and movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. A fast, intriguing read. A unique story.

Brittany Pressley is becoming one of my favorite narrators. She emotes so well and brings the story to life.

Just as dark and tense as I like -- definitely kept me guessing and wanting more. A relatively satisfying ending caps off a great thriller.

I liked this audiobook. It was actually the first audiobook I've ever listened to. The plot sort of fell apart somewhere in the middle and kept losing my interest however. The purpose of the story was lost. Overall I enjoyed it.

Hooked me from the beginning and wouldn't let go! The narrator was spot on with voice changes. Book was funny, suspenseful and full of great writing. I tried to stop listening but couldn't. It's just that good.

It has been a minute since I’ve read a 5 star read, so you can imagine how stoked I was when I finished #NeverSawMeComing and it was! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀
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This one has an interesting premise: a group of college students are accepted into a program exclusively for psychopaths, lead by a quasi-mysterious prof who won’t talk about his part in the trial of a serial killer. That’s exciting enough, but then the participants of this program are stalked and killed, one by one. Did I mention they aren’t supposed to know their fellow participants, and one of them lied and ISN’T actually a psychopath!?

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Chloe, our protagonist, convinces two others in the program to help her figure out who is hunting them, as a means to throw everyone off the scent of her real plan— the murder of a different student.

It’s witty, engaging, and has just enough steamy moments to really draw a reader in. The narration is also 10/10 with a full cast!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Thank you to @HarperAudio and @Netgalley for providing an audio review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book has really taken my by surprise. I was not really thinking that this book would suck me in at the beginning, but as I listened to the different characters talk about themselves, I definitely wanted to learn more about them, and see what the story had in store for them.
This book really keeps you guessing. It's hard to figure out who is the culprit, so just try to relax and let the story unwind.

This was a fun, twisty, psychological thriller with lots of paths to follow. I loved learning about conduct disorder and psychopathic behaviors and had a great time listening to this audiobook! 4 stars.

3.5 STARS

I actually enjoyed this debut thriller, the characters were very original. Fantastic premise! What would happen if a group of diagnosed student psychopaths were enrolled together in a test program in a college setting? Of course none of them are supposed to know who the others are, but when two of them are killed, three of the main characters begin to uncover who the others are.

Chloe, Andre and Charles are all smart, high-functioning college students who were chosen for a study administered by a renowned forensic psychologist. Their tuition is paid for and all that is required of them is to complete certain psychological tests which almost seem like games, and to report on their moods at random times via a smart watch.

Yes, the premise is a little far-fetched but the author has a background in psychology and much of the book rang true. A suspension of disbelief is required here but it works for this dark, thrilling and often funny story.

The most fascinating of the main characters is Chloe, who is actually seeking revenge against a fellow student named Will who assaulted her when she was very young. Chloe's point of view was by far the darkest, funniest and most sinister. I thought that this storyline could have been the main focus but it took a back seat to the murders of the other students. Charles and Chloe's psychopathic behaviors and efforts at masking their true selves was actually very engrossing. The audiobook narrator did a terrific job at giving voice to Chloe and the other characters.

I think the length of the book was a little too long and found that some parts were a little drawn out. But the narrator and the plot kept me invested in the story and overall, I really enjoyed it. Some readers have been critical of the romance aspect of the book but I found it added depth to the characters and the story. Seeing how these characters each tried to outsmart the other was very entertaining. Vera Kurian is absolutely an author to watch and I have no doubt her next book will be fantastic!

(Thanks to the publisher for providing an audiobook listening copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I have to admit that I was disappointed with this book. I felt it had so much potential but just didn't deliver. There was so much going on yet nothing was going on a the same time. I felt confused with all of the different suspects that kept entering the picture. This could have been so much better.

Never Saw Me Coming Review

Thank you Park Row Books & NetGalley for my audio review copy.

The only character I liked was Andre. Chloe and Charles were a mess and very unlikable. The main focus of the story at times was pushed to the back burner and when we finally got the showdown I was letdown and pretty much done with the book. Then I looked at the audiobook app I still had another two hours to go and I wasn’t sure if I would make it. I messaged a book friend to see if my theory was correct and I was. Since I made it this far and knew how it would play out I let the audiobook play out. We had some points of view that didn’t add anything to the story. Mentions of protest going on in the D.C. area. I’m not sure what message the author was trying to get across. I’m happy that I listened to the audiobook instead of reading because I would have DNF the book and not look back. The narrator Brittany Pressley was awesome and definitely kept me engaged for majority of the story. This is why having the right narrator is SO important.

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrator: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was really excited to read this book because I had seen so many great reviews. It wasn’t quite for me. It felt a bit like YA in the way it was written though that’s not what bothered me. I enjoyed this until the end. It felt rushed and boring. I wanted a twist or something special to happen. It wasn’t a bad book but I can’t recommend it because of the ending.

Creepy tale of a psychological experiment gone wrong. What happens when a group of psychopaths are gathered together for college and circulate in the same social classes? Murder and mayhem. A thrilling story. I couldn't stop listening.

This star rating is only for the audio book not the story

Before the below two things

Structure- neither in the hard copy ARC or audio arc was there any indication that chapters had different povs and that was rediculous. I mean but why? That is a very simple, basic thing. You are doing the author, story, and reader a huge disservice. Stop leaving this off. It isn't the first time (especially on the audio side). It isn't difficult for the narrator to say... chapter x <insert character name>.

This book could have easily been YA. I'm not sure why it wasn't. Yes it is set in college. You could have set it in HS. Having this program in college isn't any more believable than a magnet HS. Think about some of the farfetched thriller stories floating around thriller mystery YA fiction books, right now.

Last, wasn't fond of the narrator. Or, at least, really could have done better with multiple narrators, or not such a squeaky female narrator.

But on further thought- it wasn't so much her fault as much as the structure mentioned above, so let me give her a break.

What I loved:

1) The premise
2) The hunter turned prey idea (especially since one was determined to stay prey).
3) On one hand- very brave writing as some followed through on some very grisly plans. Aka... noone had any second thoughts and suddenly became better people.
4)The word psychopaths is not thrown around blindly. It is utilized pretty damn responsibly... still a psychological thriller. Buuuut not bad.

What I didn't like:

1)The not so brave writing that I feel like one person should have died that didn't but I'm dark.

2) Yes this is about a group of literal, diagnosed psychopaths and yes it is used explained and done well but still falls back on tropey psychological thriller need of mental illness for a spring board PLUS one of the twists stereotypes a rare but subset of people that I can't mention cause of spoilers.

3) Yes this is about a group of literal, diagnosed psychopaths but talking about beating the deadhorse... Holy crap.... stop mentioning it. That got tiresome.

4)I likes the characters and how they were written for like 60% of the book but #3 and the perkiness/constantly innerdialogue of how brilliant the MC is really started killing it after a bit

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian is a fun thriller about a group of college students who are psychopaths, drawn together through their participation in a secret research study. One by one, the study participants turn up murdered. Is someone hunting them? I was able to get my hands on an advance copy of this book, and it was an engaging read. It did have hints of You by Caroline Kepnes (because the narrators are young, sexy psychopaths) but it mostly just reminded me of the kind of cheesy television show one might find on CW.

For some reason, I wound up reading like 5 books in a row in which the main character is a psychopath. It's difficult to enjoy a book in which literally every character is unlikable by design, but this still made for an interesting and entertaining read (or, listen, in my case). Parts of the book are darkly funny, but I feel like the twist didn't satisfy. This book reminded me a lot of a 2017 article in The Atlantic titled "When Your Child Is A Psychopath." Now, that's a fascinating read to follow up with after finishing this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy of the audiobook!!

I loved this book. I think it felt fresh and exciting. Mysterious twists interpreted through the mind of a college age psychopath have moments of LOL and was just highly engaging. This would make an incredible TV series- Kill ing Eve meets Dexter meets How to Get Away With Murder. I definitely wo up d read this novelist again, and would love to know about Chloe’s life post-college.

Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian, narrated by Brittany Pressley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for a complimentary audio ARC for my honest review.

I found this to be a very fascinating premise of a story. What could possibly happen when seven psychopaths take part in a university study? And then when murders start occurring, who to trust?

My favourite character was Chloe with her matter-of-factness and dry sense of humour. I was rooting for her, even with her main objective of murdering Will.

It was a fast-paced and gripping thriller. The narrator was amazing.

#NetGalley #NeverSawMeComing