Cult thrillers are some of my absolute favorites, and Be Mine did not disappoint. With perfectly timed twists and reveals, Lizzy Barber delivers a gripping, psychologically layered story that had me hooked from the first page.

This was my first book by Barber, and I’m already eager to dive into more of her work. The dual timeline, contrasting Beth’s desperate present with her intoxicating and dangerous past, was masterfully done. The way Elixir slowly tightens its grip on her felt disturbingly realistic, and the creeping dread as the past collides with the present kept me flipping pages until the satisfying ending!

Thank you NetGalley and Datura Books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Oh wow this book has so many twists and turns. Lizzy Barber hits you with one after another.
After a bad split with her ex Beth heads to San Fransico for a new start, a chance encounter with Marissa at a coffee stall, leads to Beth being swept into a wellness brand called Elixir. Slowly but surely Beth is swept in to the Elixir lifestyle, she meets the enigmatic leader Tate and gets deeper into the lifestyle. It takes over so much of her life that she eventually is fired from her job, making her desperate to stay in San Fransico. Be mine is told in a two different timelines, before the cult and after. We know Beth escaped the cult and you will eventually find out how and why. Lizzy Barber tells an engaging story. I did find the character of Beth annoying at times. Even so I could not put this book down. I also felt the ending wasn't really necessary, she could have left that out. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers.

A gripping psychological thriller with sharp twists, layered characters, and a haunting sense of inevitability, this is a story about identity, obsession, and the cost of reinvention. I bloody loved it!

Flitting between Muswell Hill in 2023 and Marin County 2014, we meet Beth. Beth. The new mum of Etta. The wife of Adam. Knee deep in that challenging stage of innumerable wakes. Feeling like the waking dead. Getting just enough rest to paper over the cracks until it all starts again on repeat. But Beth can't possibly ignore the privilege of motherhood, or choose not to cherish every moment, especially when she considers all she's been through to get there.

Although she misses the days of sharp edges. Of laptops, and coffee cups and meetings and lunchbreaks, she adores her baby girl. Even if the magnitude of responsibility for preserving another human being is a lot alongside the constant anxiety over whether she's doing the right thing.

And then the envelope arrives to throw Beth even further into freefall. The envelope embossed in gold. Elixir. And she is right back in 2013, like the last decade hasn't happened. Back in the city of disruption that was San Francisco. Thrown back to that first meeting with Marissa in the coffee queue. The coffee that changed the course of her life. Remembering what that 1 inch patch of flesh etched on her arm really stands for. Recalling how she was convinced that it was the answer to everything. Incandescently happy.

How Elixir ruled her life. How the belief system drove every decision. Every move. How it became her remedy. Her cure all. Her belief system. Her perfection. How she committed to the Elixir Guarantee, every word of Tate Larson's Manifesto. Hook. Line. And. Sinker.

As her past catches up with her we understand her need for invisibility, and realise that the shell she wears is forged in iron. And the rollercoaster she is on is not showing any signs of slowing down. If you love a twisty turny psychological thriller then strap yourself in, you're in for a wild ride!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Datura Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Lizzy Barber. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Beth was running from her past when she got involved with a wellness group, Elixir. That too became a nightmare. Then years later, her life looks very different - she's married with a young child. But she's still struggling to fit into her new role. When she receives a mysterious letter bearing the infinity symbol, she knows instantly that Elixir is back in her life.

You won't be able to read this without thinking of another cult, NXIVM, that was in all the headlines. This story was told out in dual timelines - Beth before when she was getting involved with Elixir, and in present day where she's fearful of them coming back in her life. There were lots of twists and turns in this one that I could never have guessed. I am fascinated with cults and how leaders are able to brainwash people so thoroughly, so this was both a look into that as well as just a great read!

Lizzy Barber delves into the dark but well-toned underbelly of a health and wellness programme. As I’ve come to expect with Lizzy Barber’s books, Be Mine is a sultry thriller replete with interesting characters, well-described locations and an intriguing mystery.
The depictions of motherhood, in particular, were absolutely spot on and, because I’m the mother of two young children, the scenes with Beth and her daughter really hit home.
Another compelling read.

Be Mine by Lizzy Barber is a very toxic and dark cult thriller with jaw-dropping, absolutely unexpected twists! You know - this is an absolute brain-washing nut-house!
This book makes me wonder what goes on behind closed doors among all those toxic positivity gurus.

This story follows Beth in past and present storylines.

In 2013, Beth moved to the US from the UK to start a new life. Unexpectedly, she finds herself starting an exclusive exercise class that soon escalates and becomes a dark and toxic health and wellness trap. When she loses nearly everything, she is invited to the elite group of Elixir. Sadly, Beth can't see that all this is a toxic cult and carefully calculated manipulations.

In 2023, Beth is back in the UK, she has a boyfriend and daughter, but she never stopped looking over her shoulder because she knows they will come after her. When the mysterious envelope is delivered to her house, she knows her time is running out.

This book made me mad and sad, and frustrated. I wanted to scream out loud at some parts and just through that book in the corner at others. And it's scary that all this is legal!

The story begins with Beth Myers moving from London to San Francisco for a new job after a relationship breaking down. One morning, Beth meets Marissa and thus begins, Beth's journey with Elixir and Tate. In the present day, Beth receives an invite to Elixir's 10th year Founder's Day Celebration. We learn that Beth is a new Mum and she is not in a good place. The book is told over several timelines, which tells the tale of how Beth became so involved in what we might call a cult. It was a twisty, turney, rollercoaster of a read that it was unputdownable. I had to keep reading it till the end and what an ending! All the subplots came together with an unexpected conclusion.

Loveeeeees this.
Made me feel all them emotions.

Be mineeee.

Thank you for this opportunity.
Truly a great great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Datura Books for this eCopy to review

Be Mine by Lizzy Barber is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of identity, manipulation, and the desperate desire to belong. The story follows Beth, a new mother struggling with the pressures of motherhood and a haunting past she thought she had escaped.

Beth receives a mysterious letter bearing only the infinity symbol, a chilling reminder of her time with the wellness group, Elixir. Ten years earlier, Beth was introduced to Elixir by the charismatic Marissa, who promised it would change her life. Beth quickly became enamoured with the group's leader, Tate, and the seemingly perfect lifestyle they offered. However, as Beth's involvement deepened, she began to uncover the dark underbelly of Elixir, leading to a desperate escape.

One of the standout aspects of Be Mine is its exploration of the psychological impact of cult-like groups and the lengths people will go to find a sense of belonging. Barber masterfully portrays Beth's internal struggles and the tension between her past and present. The narrative is filled with suspense, keeping the reader on edge as Beth's past catches up with her.

The characters are well-developed and complex. Beth's journey from a vulnerable young woman to a determined mother fighting for her freedom is compelling and relatable. The dynamics between Beth, Marissa, and Tate add depth to the story, highlighting the manipulative tactics used by Elixir to control its members.

Be Mine is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a fresh perspective on the psychological thriller genre. Fans of suspenseful and emotionally charged stories will find much to enjoy in this book.

I want to preface this with the fact that I am all consumed with the history of and story related to cults. I will always pick up a book on the topic and this one was perfect! Be Mine follows Beth, a young woman out on her own, living in California, and out of her element. By chance, she meets a new friend, Marissa, who introduces her to a wellness group, run by the charismatic leader Tate. As Beth is introduced to this lifestyle change, she falls under Tate’s spell and becomes part of his health-focused community.

Fast forward a decade and the story is focused on a new mom and her constant fear of her past. With subtle reminders and potential threats, she’s faced with her worst nightmare.

I really enjoy this storyline, reminiscent of a cult in recent news. The names and places may change, but a large majority of cult stories start the same way- and that’s by taking advantage of insecurities and alienating their subjects from friends and families. The author did a good job of representing that aspect. I really liked the dual timelines and felt the fear of present-day Beth as she slowly unraveled. My only dislike was the pacing. I felt like the ending wrapped up too easy and too quickly for the amount of time and pacing that was dedicated to the first 75%.

Overall, I was very happy with this book and am grateful to NetGalley and Datura books for the ARC!

this book is basically giving us the disturbing nature of every single thing going on in our world right now. the unease over how people are being dragged into places and beliefs. bet it social media influencers, diet culture, misogyny etc. these disturbing worlds that work on vulnerable or via manipulation. non of them are ok. and this book focus on wellness culture black whole, which right now couldnt be more at their peak awful.
in this book we have Beth shes moved to try and get a new life. but shes struggling to find what that is. thats when she meets Marissa who sparks everything off and introduces her to the a program called Elixir. what could be better for Beth right now than a wellness program? yeh, anything but this one! because there is more to this than meets the eye and it get darker and darker the more involved Beth gets.
the tension grow with this book the more you read. you are on edge, your are guessing whats coming and you wont always guess. and as the tension grows you want to turn the pages almost faster than you can read them.
the book is told across dual timelines. because Beth left the cult. why and how though? and why is she still trying to move on from that time. then when she receives something that shocks her into the past everything starts to crumble.
we are taking back and forth to find out what happened back then and how it relates to the now. i am interested to see how many other people can guess what happened. i certainly didnt.
this is a rip roaring success of a book. you wont be able to get enough. Lizzy has written a corker.

Loved this! I have read Lizzy's work earlier and was eagerly awaiting this one, and rightfully so. The book packs some major twists and I love the writing style which creates a tense atmosphere. It had me second guessing which made this an edge of the seat thriller.

I loved some of the twists and the characters are well written. Loved the premise of lifestyle, cults, betrayal, love, loss, family, friendship, identity and motherhood. Absolutely recommend!

Thank you Datura and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Be Mine
Lizzy Barber
05/27/2025
Datura Books

DON’T DRINK THE KOOL-AID!
Be Mine follows Beth, who relocates from London to San Francisco in search of a fresh start and a clean break from her past. But despite the change in scenery, her daily life remains monotonous—just a cycle of work deadlines and unfulfilled potential. She still hasn’t found her place or purpose—until she meets Marissa and is introduced to a mysterious program called Elixer.
At first, Elixer seems like exactly what Beth needs—a holistic wellness initiative focused on both mental and physical health. But as Beth becomes more involved, it becomes clear that there’s much more to Elixer than meets the eye.
This is a slow-burn, addictive psychological thriller that delivers jaw-dropping "holy shit, I did not see that coming" moments. A chilling cult thriller, Be Mine pulls you into a world of manipulation, control, and creeping dread. With twists and turns at every corner, it keeps you second-guessing everything—and just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another shocking turn.
Told across dual timelines and locations, and interwoven with excerpts from the Elixer manifesto, this novel demands to be devoured at breakneck speed. If you're drawn to dark, twisty psychological thrillers with cult themes, unreliable narrators, and truly unpredictable endings, Be Mine needs to be your next read.

Lizzy Barber’s novel Be Mine is a fascinating cult thriller that engrosses readers in the world of psychological manipulation and suspense about a wellness cult. It has lots of twists and turns. It is disturbing, fascinating and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

"I want to protect you, but in doing so I've deprived you of the world."

Lizzy Barber's new novel tells the story of Beth, she was a different person who believed she was living her dream life with the enigmatic wellness group, Elixir. But when that dream became a nightmare, she had no choice but to run away and leave that life behind. Ten years later, she is struggling with the pressures of motherhood, she receives a mysterious letter bearing an infinity symbol that belongs to Elixir. Can Beth run away from a past that has caught up with her? What price is she willing to pay?

The story is split between two timelines, one where Beth is living in San Fransisco where she joins Elixir and the other in ten years later in London where she is living her new life. As far as stories with "cult" theme go, this one was quite addictive.

It does suck you in quickly into this wellness world and soon you find yourself trying to figure out the significance of the two timelines in solving this mystery that is looming from the start. There are many twists that one may anticipate however they are quickly followed up with revelations the reader does not see coming.

I found this one to be a suspenseful thriller which I couldn't put down. If you are looking for an engrossing read then this one may appeal to you.

There has been a plethora of thrillers and horror novels diving into the world of wellness cults. Be Mine stands out among the crowd. Barber really broke down the intricacies of how and why the characters get sucked into these situations. I can say with confidence that I did NOT see one of the main twists coming whatsoever. I was in disbelief. The ending felt a tad rushed and I wish the big confrontation had a bit more meat to it, but overall I really enjoyed this story and it flowed perfectly. The back and forth between storylines flowed perfectly into one another and it all felt very cohesive and easy to read.

I love cult themed stories and this is one of the best. Beth gets sucked in to a wellness group, Elixir. It seems just perfect with Tate, the charismatic and totally controlling leader. But it’s toxic and there are devastating consequences. There’s a dual timeline between the cult activity in the last and Beth’s present life, now in London.
The scenes are so cleverly set. It’s easy to be swayed into the magic of belonging to a group of like minded people but but by bit, the reader is privy to the effect on Beth’s life. It’s one of those stories where you want to grab hold of her and try to talk some sense into her. In other words, it’s emotive and I connected with the characters, good and bad. Packed with the unexpected, it’s going to be a huge success because plotting is superb and the final twist a real shocker.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Be Mine is psychological thriller exploring when health and wellness becomes toxic, and a detriment to your health.

I found it was slow starting, however 3/4 of the way through there are so many twist and turns it’s hard not to get whiplash! I certainly enjoyed this part of the book, although the ending was somewhat predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Dature books for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

My head can't stop spinning! This crazy novel opens with family Beth, Adam, and baby Etta. Adam knows nothing about Beth's past: ten years ago she had gotten an invitation to join Elixir with famed founder/director Tate Larsen. Now in the present she must relive many of those memories when she finds an hourglass that reminds her of the time she spent there. M0ney, blackmail, secrets, lies...what's not to like?
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

“Be Mine” is a gripping cult thriller that immerses readers in a world of psychological manipulation and suspense. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you’ve figured out the ending, another surprise awaits, challenging your assumptions.

The incredible twist and turns, told by a multi-narrative perspective keeps you guessing until the very end. This has easily been one of my top 5 years of the year.

Thank you to Angry Robot, Datura Books & NetGalley for this ARC.