📖 Bookish Thoughts
Immediate 5 star read!!
I was a little unsure at the start because it felt too predictable. But I was so wrong. I cried at the end.💔💔💔💔💔

So much gets revealed, and a lot of it is absolutely heartbreaking.
It reminded me of that old TV drama Cold Case, which made me a little nostalgic in the best way.

Not going to lie, toward the end I got excited and was really hoping for a different outcome 😭😭

Without giving anything away, I do think it wrapped up nicely. Some things were left unclear, but the sequence of events is there for the reader to piece together.

I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic. It added so much to the experience. I would absolutely listen to it again.


📖 Final Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 Audio Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🗓️ Pub Date: July 3, 2025
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

ALC Review

Summary: In this psychological thriller Emmy and Charlie (her boyfriend ) are moving to charlie's farm house where he grew up. With their lease ending and her loosing her job she thinks this is the best thing that can happen to them when Charlie's Parents gift him their farm house.
But as Emmy is cleaning the house and trying to figure out her new life in this small town she finds something in the basement that shocks her to her core, and when she tries finding answers she gets to know Charlie's teenage girlfriend went missing 16 years ago and has never been found.

Review: I really enjoyed the pace of the book it made listening to it very exciting. I tried so hard to figure out the plot twist but god oh god listening to the last few chapters gave me chills and made me feel so weird i thought i was going to throw up. But this is not in a bad way i mean i really enjoyed it, it is just that i didn't expect the ending (maybe i was hoping for something else , but it is okayyy).
Also the narrator's voice and the way she narrates makes it more interesting and amazing to hear.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing this Audiobook!!

The blurb really had my interest and I really wanted to love this but I just found it such a slow burn for the first 3/4’s and it lacked the suspense factor. I found most of the characters unlikeable but there were a couple of exceptions that’s I did like. I was lucky to be able to get this one on audio and ebook but listened more so then read and maybe reading it would have given a different experience but I found the narrator a little irritating with her slow, drawn out pronunciation and monotone. The introduction of another narrator might have added to the listen as it’s told from 2 different points of view and timelines. The last 1/4 did offer up some surprises but I felt it was a little too late for me. Just didn’t do it for me…

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen/read and review #SophieWasHere

This audiobook was fillllled with horrible unlikeable characters. I still needed to know, what happened to Sophie!?

Pros:
-quite a few red herrings
- dual POVs, past and present
- the twist regarding Emmy
- the narrator, I listened at 2x. I enjoy her voice and her enthusiasm.

Cons:
-slow burn
- unlikable characters. Can’t think of one I liked, other than maybe Orla or Sophie.
-the amount of characters made the story a bit convoluted.

This book was entertaining enough, once it picked up, I was invested into what happened to Sophie.

Sophie Was Here by Kathryn Croft an audiobook narrated by Naomi Frederick, was just a perfectly twisted thriller that made me stop everything until I finished it! Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

Naomi Frederick was just born for this book! Is it possible I loved it so much because of her, but she absolutely brought this book to life! This was a magical listening experience!

Two different POVs and timelines will suck you into the world of perfection - perfect mess, perfect status, perfect reputation, perfect madness and perfect dark secret that leans over everything for a decade.

This book had my attention straight away! It was intriguing to find out what was happening in the present day and how events were unfolding in 2009.
My heart was living with Emmie, Sophie, and Vanessa. I just loved them, their hearts, their souls and determination.

Small village, an old farmhouse, dark secrets and Emily who is ready to rock the boat!

Nowadays, Emmie and Charlie are moving to a small village from busy London life. Soon, Emily discovers unsettling messages in the basement and starts to question people in the village. As she questions more, as darker it gets and soon she feels they could be in danger...

In 2009, Sophie is full of dreams and goals and life in front of her, but then she starts dating Charlie, the golden village boy who can't do anything wrong, but then... she just vanished...

Charlie's sister, Vanessa, is fully controlled by her parents... in 2009 and nowadays. She can't have her own voice, she can't have her own decisions, so her life is a constant battle between trying to be perfect and trying to live...

I am so grateful for this early audiobook from Bookouture Audio and Netgalley.

Kathryn Croft delivers another suspenseful psychological thriller with Sophie Was Here, a slow-burn mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final chapters. The story unfolds gradually, drawing you into a web of secrets, doubt, and emotional tension that builds with every chapter.
While the pacing is more measured than in some thrillers, it suits the narrative well, allowing the characters' complexities and hidden truths to emerge in a natural, engaging way. As a reader, you might think you know where the plot is heading but Croft expertly weaves in twists that feel both surprising and satisfying. There were moments that aligned with my own suspicions, but also turns I didn't anticipate, which kept the tension alive and the pages turning.

The strength of the novel lies in its psychological depth and the slow revelation of the characters' motivations. At first, I wasn't completely sold on the audiobook version. The narration style took a bit of adjusting to, but as the story progressed, it started to teel like the perfect fit. The slower pace of the book works well in audio format, letting the tension build and the emotional layers deepen.

This book was harrowing, yet enjoyable! I found both dual perspectives engaging. Of the three twists, I genuinely didn't see two coming. It's a realistic look into how someone might react to finding out that the person they love might not be who they say they are. The cast of various characters are also rich in depth and background. There's only one character I genuinely did not care for. Overall a 3/5 stars for me, and will be recommending to a few people!

Sophia Was Here by Kathryn Croft is a twisty, suspense-filled psychological thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The audiobook narration was excellent, capturing the tension and uncertainty of the main character, Sophie, who is trying to piece together the truth after a shocking incident in her past.

What I really appreciated about this book was the slow-burn suspense. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for a deep dive into Sophie’s character and the mystery that unfolds around her. Croft does a great job of creating an atmosphere where you’re never quite sure who to trust or what to believe.

The plot itself is engaging, with plenty of twists and moments where I thought I had things figured out, only to have everything flipped on its head. The reveal at the end was satisfying, though I did feel like some parts of the resolution could have been explored more deeply. I loved the emotional complexity of Sophie’s journey, but I do wish there had been a little more closure for some of the side characters.

Overall, Sophie Was Here is an enjoyable psychological thriller with a compelling main character, a strong sense of tension, and an ending that’ll make you pause and think. It’s a solid 4-star read and a great choice for fans of slow-building, character-driven thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars!

This audiobook was nearly impossible to pause! I found myself walking extra miles just to squeeze in more listening time than I had available. As a fan of this author, I can confidently say I’ve never been disappointed. The narrator did a great job of bringing the suspense and emotion to the surface.

The story follows a girl who moves into Forest Farm, her boyfriend Charlie’s family home, feeling lucky to be welcomed into a new life. However, her happiness turns to unease as she hears whispers in the village about Charlie’s past girlfriend, Sophie, who mysteriously disappeared at seventeen. When she confronts Charlie about Sophie, she feels a chilling disconnect. One night, while exploring the basement, she discovers the words “Sophie was here” scratched on the walls, prompting her to seek the truth about Sophie’s disappearance. As she investigates, she grapples with the fear that she may not be safe in her new home surrounded by a family she no longer trusts.

The main character is both likable and relatable, and her development unfolds beautifully across the chapters. I must admit, I didn’t see the ending coming, nor the true nature of the characters! My jaw dropped, and I absolutely loved the major twist and conclusion. Talk about suspense—this story kept me on my toes! Bravo!

Now, not all characters were as easy to warm up to; some were downright frustrating! Their behavior had me questioning everyone’s motives, making me suspicious of every family member. I did manage to predict a few twists, but that only enhanced the experience in the long run. I guarantee you won’t see what’s coming in this one!

The narrative weaves through dual timelines and multiple points of view, allowing us to fully grasp the plot and its later revelations. If you enjoy stories about unbreakable family bonds, troubled young minds, and a plethora of bad decisions, this book will pull you in. Just imagine uncovering unexpected twists that keep coming at you like a rollercoaster ride!

Thank you, Bookouture Audio, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The perfect family.

The perfect new home.

But not the perfect book.

WHY?

This slow-burn thriller was too S-L-O-W.

In addition, the book lacked the suspense element and thrills I was seeking.

Kathryn Croft is one of my go-to authors, so perhaps my expectations were too high.

I listened to the audiobook read by Naomi Frederick.

Although Naomi Frederick did a superb job with the narration, the book would have benefited from an additional narrator since it unfolded from two different POVs and timelines.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twisty and tense, with just enough suspense to keep me flipping pages late into the night. I was hooked by the premise, but some reveals felt a bit rushed or predictable. Still, the atmosphere and emotional weight hit the mark. A quick, satisfying read if you enjoy secrets, grief, and psychological unraveling.

Man this was one crazy ride! Probably a 4.4 rounded up but it kept me guessing so had to give it a little bump. This book did an amazing job weaving the past and the present giving you moments where you are left racing through the pages to find out what happens. This also was such a quick enjoyable read which is always a plus! I do like getting to see some of the characters at a younger age and then seeing them age and find out how much their personalities have changed. This book also does a great job showing how toxic families can be and how much they are willing to do to keep up appearances. Definitely need to read more from this author because it was such a crazy ride!!!! Thanks NetGalley and bookouture for giving me this opportunity to read this early! Was not disappointed at all!!!!!

I wasn’t sure at first… but then I was hooked.

I listened to the audiobook, and about five minutes in, I wasn’t sure how I was feeling. We meet Charlie and Emmie, a couple moving into Charlie’s childhood home, a massive farmhouse mansion. In the car, they’re having a conversation that felt like it should’ve happened before they were on their way to move in. I get it, though, the author had to give us the backstory somehow. It just came off a little awkward.

On top of that, the narrator was talking so softly at times, it started to bug me a little.

But if you’re feeling the same way I was, don’t turn it off! It didn’t take long before I was itching to know all the answers. Somewhere along the way, the narrator either stopped whispering… or I just got used to her, because I ended up enjoying the performance.

This is a classic small-town mystery full of wealthy-family secrets and buried lies. It’s not long before we realize, shocker, Charlie totally sucks. Emmie is awesome though. She’s not falling for any of it.

The story bounces between timelines, and we also get chapters from Sophie, the missing girl. She was smart and mature for her age, a likable character. Honestly, it was a big sigh of relief to read a book where the women don’t make dumb decisions or fall for gaslighting.

I figured out the “who” pretty early, but not the “why,” and a few twists definitely caught me by surprise.

Overall, I’d recommend this one. It was an entertaining listen and one I think readers of this genre will enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this one early!

A secret past, lies and more are certain to disrupt Emmie’s life soon after her partner Charlie’s parents gift them their old farmhouse. It all begins when Emmie discovers a chilling message in their basement: Sophie was here. Determined to uncover the truth, Emmie won’t rest until she finds out who Sophie was and what connection she might have had to Charlie.

While Emmie’s dreams were of her future, she is determined to uncover the past. Unearthing clues that go back nearly two decades reveals a web of secrets far more extensive than she could have imagined. Why was finding any information about Sophie so difficult? Curiosity has turned into obsession.

As the drama intensifies, the darkness of the past slowly becomes clearer to Emmie. The author’s chilling tale, with its multiple perspectives and dual timelines, suggests that Emmie might have good reason to distrust Charlie.

This captivating audiobook holds the reader’s attention from the very beginning until the thrilling conclusion. Naomi Frederick’s exceptional narration makes this character-driven story an utterly compelling read. Kathryn Croft has woven together another intriguing read.

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

This was a great read full of lies and secrets. Emmie is moving to her boyfriends Charlie’s childhood home, but when she arrives she finds a note on the basement door, she believes it’s written with blood. She starts digging, but when people start turning up dead she knows she has to stop. Wow, the ending was not what I expected, it’s an intense physiological thriller that will be read in one sitting. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator didn’t disappoint, she was very clear and easy to understand. She read the book with an intense voice to keep the thriller alive. Fantastic 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Sophie Was Here by Kathryn Croft

A BIG thank you to #NetGalley, #BookoutureAudio and the author for sending me this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

About the book: Emmie and her boyfriend Charlie are given a beautiful 5 bedroom farmhouse from Charlie’s parents, no questions asked. They just have to do the renovations themselves. And Charlie’s parents live so close and they are very welcoming to Emmie.
One day while going in the basement, Emmie discovers writing on the wall. “Sophie was here”. Soon after Emmie’e new perfect life starts turning into a nightmare. Emmie can hear people whispering about her and Charlie when she goes into town. She doesn’t understand why but she soon discovers that Sophie was Charlie’s girlfriend when they were 17 and she went missing.
When Emmie tries asking Charlie about Sophie, he gets very angry. She wants to find out what really happened to Sophie, but she’s isolated and with a family she no longer trusts.

What I thought: This book was a slow burn for me, but it kept me hooked just enough that I wanted to finish. Towards the last half or so the story really picked up and I couldn’t stop listening. And what a great twisty ending! I would definitely recommend this book and I’d rate it 3.5 stars.

Narrator Naomi Frederick did a great job bringing this audiobook to life.

This book releases July 2 2025

ARC Review
🎧 Format: Audiobook

Summary: The story follows Emmy and her boyfriend Charlie as they move into his inherited family farmhouse. Emmy is excited for a new start, but things take a dark turn when she finds a creepy message in the basement: *Sophie was here". And it looks to be written in blood. Sophie turns out to be Charlie’s childhood girlfriend who went missing. All of a sudden the message is gone, and that’s when Emmy's instincts kick in and she starts digging. What she finds is chilling. Some secrets are meant to stay buried, but Emmy is determined to uncover the truth.

Thoughts: This was my first book by Kathryn Croft, and wow, I am blown away. The suspense had me hooked, and I really enjoyed her writing style. I already added her other books to my TBR.

This book is full of twists. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. The characters all have their own secrets, and it kept me second-guessing everyone. The pacing is slower, but it fits the story well and gives it time to build tension. The story also has a dual timeline that switches between the present with Emmy and the past with Sophie before she disappeared. That added a lot of suspense and gave the characters more depth.

There were definitely heart-pounding moments. But more than that, the emotional side of this story really got to me. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you. The secrets, the heartbreak, the things people never say out loud. This one made me think and feel, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves slow-burning thrillers with strong characters and haunting twists.

Great psychological thriller that keeps you listening with the surprises and twists. Well written and good narration. I enjoyed listening to it.

I’ve seen a lot of praise for Kathryn Croft’s books so was eager to give this a try.

Emmy and her boyfriend Charlie are excited to make a fresh start in the old family farm house he’s inherited. The house needs some renovation and Emmy uncovers some clues in the basement that lead her to suspect a dark past - ‘Sophie was here’…

I won’t go further into the plot, it’s original and told in past and present both featuring Charlie, his family and the pleasant countryside location. There are a few characters to keep track of.

Pay attention. After a slower paced start there are lots of twists, some took me by surprise, some were foreshadowed by certain details or omissions.

I liked the narrator, her relaxed and laid back flow made for easy listening.

I had high expectations due to the author’s reputation, I’ll say I thoroughly enjoyed it rather than being completely thrilled. If you like a lot of twists then this is well worth a read or a listen.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio

Sophie Was Here on audio was a delight. As a reader, knowing I’m going to leave a review once finished, I start the review in my head while reading. Initially I did not think this book was good because of all the criticisms I had regarding characters and plot. And then, voila, the ending made it all clear to me what author Kathryn Croft had done. What a clever writer.

This one features a new couple, a gifted home in need of renovation, a village with long time residents and a mystery about a missing teenager from long ago. I can’t say much more without spoiling, but I will tell you to give this one a read if you enjoy domestic thrillers and great beach reads.