Twenty years later. Alessia is living a happy life. Mother to her toddler son Jacob and happily married to Carl, things are going well. Life is spot on. Yes, Alessia had to take on a new identity two decades ago, but that is the past. However, one night after dozing off she hears broken glass. Worried about Jacob, she looks for the source. A broken window with a brick thrown inside with words that shake her to her very core: FOUND YOU!

What happened twenty years ago and why did she receive those very disturbing words on that brick? Well, that is how this thrilling story by Casey Kelleher started. It quickly moves to the past when Alessia (then, when she was Emma-Jayne), she is terrified, in a jail cell, and accused of murder.

What happened then, and why does she allude to someone named Sarah, both then and now? Why did Alessia change her name and why is she suddenly being terrified now?

Alessia had a childhood friend named Sarah and now she is scared beyond belief that Sarah is back. In fact, the note was only the beginning of a fear campaign being lobbed at her. The story is equally terrifying and sad. The terror comes in when Alessia's past and present collide. The sadness comes in when her story begins to unfold and her disturbing past and memories come speeding towards her. The level of sadness increases when Alessia is faced with a devastating sense of hopelessness, even though she had been living a content life with her little family.

I was so very drawn to this story. My heart broke for the 12-year-old Emma-Jayne and the 32-year-old Alessia. I did love her husband Carl as he saw his wife falling apart. As mentioned, the couple were happy for a while and it was interesting to see if their marriage would hold up.

I had I'll Never Tell as an audiobook ARC and I loved the narration. As this story was delivered in third person narrative I felt like the narrator was literally telling me the story, which allowed me to feel the emotions that Alessia had to cope with. Her guilt. Uncertainty. Pain. Fear. And so much more. Very well done. Excellently paced throughout with a wonderful conclusion.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Wow!! Is that enough of a review? No? Okay but my words are nowhere near as good as the authors! I'll Never Tell was another one sitting reading for me, I could not put this book down. I've loved all Casey Kelleher's previous books but this may be my favourite yet.

Alessia lives a comfortable life with her husband Carl and son Jacob but her world is shattered when a brick is thrown through her window with a note attached saying FOUND YOU. What Carl doesn't know is that Alessia used to be called Emma-Jayne and that as a child she was found guilty of the murder of her step-father. Her friend Sarah was involved but Emma-Jayne/Alessia was the one who stood trial and jailed for their actions. Alessia has moved on from the trauma and is happy for her past to remain a secret but this sinister message convinces her that Sarah has indeed found her and does not want their dark past to EVER be revealed.

A lot of the secrets are a surprise to Alessia herself as she explores her memories of what actually happened in the Doll House and you're on the rollercoaster of emotions she experiences. Desperate to keep her son safe she teeters on the edge, nobody believed her as a kid so why would they now? I'll Never Tell will definitely make you think and stay with you for a long time after reading. What does compel a child to kill......? No spoilers here - GO BUY IT!

All the stars!!!

This was my first book by this author as her previous books have mostly been gangland which isn’t my jam. This however sounded very me, I mean unreliable narrator, creepy house, children that kill and a new identity and life all I needed was a psychopath….. oh wait a minute, that could be the liar liar pants on fire!

Told in the then and now, the girl who was Emma Jayne is now Alessia and happily married to Carl and mother to Jacob. While Carl is away working a brick wrapped in paper is thrown through their window with the message found you. Then just days later she is run off the road while driving home with Jacob in the car. But with Carl not knowing about her old life she has to play it all down as teenagers and an impatient driver. She cannot possibly divulge that she thinks Sarah is back as that would mean him discovering the truth.

I’ve always been morbidly curious about kids that kill and what happens to them when they are released back into society. Still young enough to start again do they deserve that chance when their victims didn’t get that? Can they be trusted? And what about the people that fall in love and even start families with them, without even knowing what they’ve done. At the start of this book Emma Jane protested her innocence and ended up taking the punishment as Sarah had denied involvement and pushed all blame on to her. We all know children tell lies so when both are children how do you decide who is telling the truth?

This is a fast paced, thought provoking book where both timelines are equally captivating. Goosebump inducing moments that sent a chill down my spine sat alongside the tender moment of a child being interviewed knowing nobody believes her. Was my empathy misplaced? You will have to read it to find out!

I love Casey’s books and what a read this one was. I couldn’t put it down as I was gripped from page one. Told in two time lines you find out about Emma-Jayne the young girl who was either a lying murderer with multiple personality disorder or an innocent abused broken girl unbelieved by her Mum and Alessia a happily married woman with a young son whose life is about to explode and crumble before her eyes. There are so many twists and turns as you go to a very dark place. Can Alessia ever find the sunshine again. A highly recommended five star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely brilliant! I couldn't put this book down and was reading into the wee small hours. The storyline was gripping and the end totally unexpected. I would thoroughly recommend this book. Well done Casey!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture..

Sarah and Emma Jayne are childhood friends but things take a sinister turn when they start going into the woods where they find an old building where they play. But a murder occurs there and things start to go wrong for the pair,Emma Jayne rebuilds her life years later and changes her name and is happy with her husband Carl and their little boy Jacob.But when she starts to get messages from someone who knows her secrets events start to go very wrong for her,with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing throughout the book this a great thriller from Casey Kelleher, with it being only her second book in this genre it really is a triumph and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre.A great 5 star read for me.

I blew through this book and was pleasantly surprised at how much I really liked this thriller! I had seen some buzz about it over on Twitter, and I'm so glad that I listened, and requested this one from NetGalley. I loved the backstory and the way that this psychological drama unfolded. Sometimes an unreliable narrator is annoying - but definitely not in this case. The author was deft at keeping the reader doubting the MC, and in the same chapter, doubting that doubt.

The story opens with Allesia seen as a competent, careful and doting mother to Jacob, and as a happily married and content wife to Carl. Pretty quickly, the author alludes to a backstory that Allesia may be hiding. Sinister events begin to happen to Allesia, including a brick through her window, being run off the road and a cake box containing a dead mouse being left at her doorstep. The life that Allesia ran from now seems to be catching up to her. The story of her troubled background unfolds and the reader is left wondering if Allesia is remembering the truth or a version of the truth far more palatable that has found home in her mind.

Her state of mind is in question, even to herself. Did she do what she was accused of when she was known as Emma-Jayne? The less you know going in to this one, I think the better. There is a very dark theme underneath, but I feel like the author did a great job of alluding to the trauma rather than bringing the reader through the sordid details. The exploration of the ways our brains deal with trauma was masterful. I had suspicions throughout, but I flip flopped my analysis more than once. I love that in a thriller!!!

Definitely recommend this one! Many thanks to Net Galley and Bookoutoure for an advance copy to read and review. Pub date: 12.03.21.

A little disorientating in places and with blurred realities but the overall finished effect is a good story. At first the tale seemed a bit overly familiar, someone haunted by something that had happened in their past and started to have physical reminders, were they being stalked? Had they been found out? Their husband and friends were blissfully unaware of their past too so the main character worries that her life is soon going to come falling down like a house of cards. The perpetrator’s identity is blurred as it could only really be one person but their reality is in question and mental health comes under the spotlight and is well and sensitively covered I felt.
There are enough twists and turns in the story to keep my interest and engagement with the main characters. Some of the Police work and writing is ever so slightly clumsy and not quite believable for me but is overcome by the book as a whole and forgiven. I would recommend.

I’ll Never Tell by Casey Kelleher
Published: December 3, 2021
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Casey Kelleher was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, and grew up as an avid reader.
Whilst working as a beauty therapist and bringing up her three children together with her husband, Casey penned her debut novel Rotten to the Core. Its success meant that she could give up my day job and concentrate on writing full time.

“Nothing will ever be the same.”

Alessia has secrets she doesn’t discuss with anyone. And for the most part, she thinks she is living a beautiful life. Until a brick is thrown through her living room window, suddenly, her past is becoming her present, and Alessia is terrified that she will once again lose everything. Husband. Son. Friends. The truth is about to come out.

This was a slow burn for the first half of the book. I enjoyed how the story was told, flipping between the past and the present, and I liked how the details slowly started to build.

I liked Alessia as a character. She had a lot of heart, and she felt very genuine. Her emotions and desire to be good enough felt very authentic, and as we learned more about her, we realized how strong she is.

Carl was adorable. Such a lovely husband and father. He supported Alessia in every way and doted on their son. I very much enjoyed that Carl chose his family first, always. He was a fantastic advocate for his wife.

Harriet is a solid friend. She was not swayed by emotion, and she was willing to fight for the truth… whatever it may be. Loved this character.

Once the twists started rolling, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the story continued. I wish more had been explained with certain areas of Alessia’s past diagnoses, but overall it was well-curated.

I was able to predict the ending, but I’m not mad about it. The story is solid, and the writing is good—a deliciously twisted tale filled with secrets, lies, and the brutal truth.

I'll never tell by Casey Kelleher.
When we were young, Sarah and I did a terrible thing – but it was only me who paid the price. Now, just when I thought no one from my old life would ever find me, a note is slid under my door: I haven’t forgotten. I haven’t forgiven. FOUND YOU.
This was a good read with good characters. I did like Amanda and Margaux. Likeable story. I had no clue who it was. 4*.

Really struggled with this book and thats not usually the case with this author. I much prefer caseys old gangland style books.

Another ripping read from Casey Kelleher! Past and present collide in this psychological thriller where you can never really leave your past behind - even if you've paid the debt! Intriguing, readable and oh so interesting!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

I'll Never Tell is without any semblance of doubt a great psychological thriller that had me gripped from the first chapter. Bone-chilling, with plenty of tension and suspense oozing from the pages I couldn’t read it quickly enough but I also didn’t want it to end. My first read by Casey Kelleher was a rewarding experience and I highly recommend this book and author. I aim to check out some of her other work going forward.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

First, I want to thank Casey Kelleher, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Casey Kelleher WOW you blew me away with how dark, deep, intense, twisted and completely captivating I’ll Never Tell was!! I was so mesmerized by this book that I couldn’t put it down. This was unlike any other psychological thriller I had ever read before! You just have to put this on your TBR list. It is SO GOOD!!! This has best seller written all over it!

Casey would like to dedicate this book to Marlene for getting her through one of the hardest years, and for inspiring so many others on your way.

This was my first time reading any book by Casey and I am an instant fan! I would read anything she writes in this genre! She is a fantastic storyteller who thinks outside the box with this twisted tale-and oh how twisted it is!

You will be on the edge of your comfy chair throughout this whole book as Casey throws some wicked curves in this book! There are a lot of OMG shocking moments that I didn’t see coming.

I now have the childhood song rain rain go away song in my head thanks to Casey. However, I didn’t know they had other verses to it. They are actually quite comical.

The storyline about the rat and how it kept coming up in the book creeped me out totally!!

Casey does an incredible job with her details and descriptions of her scenes.

This book would be an incredible series on Netflix!

Summary:
When somebody throws a brick through Alessia's window, with a note saying "Found you", she knows that it only could've been her childhood best friend, Sarah. The two of them did a terrible thing together, but only Alessia was paying the price. Because no one believed her that Sarah had something to do with it all. Will they believe her now?

My opinion:
This was a short, quick read! Right at the beginning, the reader gets thrown into events, and the pace only just keeps on picking up. I love stories with unreliable narrators, so I really enjoyed reading this story. I just like it when I don't know whether I can trust the main character. I did see the big twist coming, but it was executed well, and it was still fun to read it! Also, the second twist really took me by surprise. I just wish there would've been a notice at the beginning of every chapter, so that I knew what perspective I was reading.

This was my first book by Casey Kelleher, and it won't be my last!

Parts of this book reminded me of:
- Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone
- To Tell You The Truth by Gilly Macmillan

Wow! What an incredible read this book is!

I started it and could not put it down!

This is a well written fast paced, tense, psychological thriller that had me gripped from the first page to the very last.

Highly recommended and an easy five stars.

Rollercoaster of a read. I did figure out parts of it before the big reveal but that didn't take away from the story at all. What a great story! Loved the characters, loved the plot. I couldn't put it down. Will definitely read more by this author.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

If I could have given this more than 5 stars I would have - it was fantastic. I really did not know what was happening until right at the end, when I guessed the culprit and the why, but during 90% of the book it was so vague.

I just loved it.

I was given an advance copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

Whoa. This book was surprisingly good! Never heard about Casey Kelleher before but after reading this, I can say that I am now a fan! Wow.

The flow of the story was engaging. There was never a time that I got bored or disinterested because every page had my full attention. I was completely preoccupied and absorbed. I remember not getting out of bed, glued to my screen all day just so I could finish this.

The characters had an air of mystery to them--there was a point in the book where I started to doubt the credibility of the main character and it added more edge to the plot. Although I figured out one of the twists 30% into the book, (I'm sure a lot of you would be able to piece it together early on) it didn't take out the excitement for me. The surprise kept coming. Also, the author didn't have to describe the major plot point in graphic detail for me to be affected by it, that's how good the author executed the subject matter. I love it.

I did cry at the end. After all, this book is about starting a new life after a tragic past, but, we all know that the more we run from our demons, the more we become vulnerable to their clutches. Just like Alessia--who is living a normal life with her loving husband Carl and their son Jacob, but someone from her past is threatening to destroy the perfect life that she built, someone who knows about what she did twenty years ago, someone who won't stop at nothing to make her remember.

Please add this book to your list if you haven't yet. Totally worth it.

Cheers to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC! So glad I requested this book!

A woman has a tragic past that she kept a secret and it’s coming back to haunt her. It starts with a brick thrown at her window and quickly escalates.

This thriller will demand your attention as you are drawn into the story. You will also need to follow the woman’s story, which goes from the past to the present with many twists. I enjoyed the book but the middle was a little hard to follow. Once I figured out what was going on, I enjoyed the rest of the twists and turns.