Quietly Undone is the first in the Chosen series by Cora Blake, a challenging book to read as it details the horrors of domestic abuse. Do heed the warning by the author to take care of yourself and take breaks while reading. Though a work of fiction, the characters felt almost too real and gave me goosebumps.

Sophie meets charming Lucas and they begin a whirlwind romance. Red flags are subtle at first and changes slow but as time goes on, they escalate. But Sophie minimizes them. She drowns in self doubt and loses her self in a fog of confusion. Her friends notice. But she itches for acceptance and says inside, “Please choose me.”

This is one powerful book. The writing is gorgeous, raw, and stark. Do know there is a lot of adult language. I was drawn in immediately and remained invested, though I felt sickened at times. The ending is electrifying. Though a difficult read, it is well worth your time. I will be sure to read the remaining instalments in this series.

My sincere thank you to Harbour Moor Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenally moving novel.

Quietly Undone by Cora Blake is all about soft heartbreak and healing 💔➡️💫
The vibe? 🌧️ Emotional, reflective, and a little bittersweet
The characters? 🫶 Raw, real, and easy to connect with
The writing? ✨ Gentle but hits deep
It’s the kind of book that slowly pulls you in and suddenly you’re feeling everything. If you love quiet, character-driven stories with emotional depth, this one’s for you.
Rating: 5/5 ⭐ — tender, moody, and memorable

Quietly Undone is a deeply emotional and introspective look at coercive control, trauma bonds, and how easy it is to slowly lose yourself in a relationship without even realizing it’s happening.

This isn’t a fast-paced story. It’s a slow, thoughtful journey through Sophie’s mind as she navigates love, self-doubt, confusion, and the constant questioning of what’s real and what isn’t. The pacing reflects exactly what she’s experiencing, making you sit with every emotion alongside her.

What made this book stand out to me was how incredibly relatable it felt. I’ve been through a relationship where you constantly question yourself, wondering if someone is truly good for you or if it’s time to walk away. That emotional push and pull, hoping things will get better while slowly losing pieces of yourself, was portrayed in such an honest way. When Sophie’s father becomes ill, her emotional burden felt even more heartbreaking and added another layer to her journey that resonated with me.

Rather than focusing on dramatic events, this novel captures the quiet moments that make trauma bonds so difficult to recognize. It beautifully explores why leaving isn’t always as simple as it seems from the outside.

If you’re looking for an emotional, character-driven psychological fiction that explores the complexities of unhealthy relationships and healing, this is one I’d recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Quietly Undone is a powerful and emotional debut novel that tackles a subject many people experience but often struggle to recognize or speak about: emotional abuse.

The story follows Sophie, a young woman who falls in love with Lucas and gradually becomes deeply attached to him. What begins as a seemingly loving relationship slowly evolves into something much darker. As Lucas's influence over her life grows, Sophie starts questioning her own feelings, perceptions, and even whether she is the one at fault. The author does an excellent job of showing how emotional abuse can develop subtly, making it difficult for both the victim and those around them to recognize.

I appreciated how realistically the book portrayed the manipulation, self-doubt, and confusion that often accompany emotionally abusive relationships. It highlights an issue that many people quietly endure and accept without realizing the damage it causes.

The ending caught me completely by surprise and added even more impact to the story. While at times it was a difficult read because of the subject matter, it was also an important one. For a debut novel, this is an impressive and thought-provoking start to what promises to be an engaging series.

I would recommend Quietly Undone to readers who enjoy emotionally driven stories that explore complex relationships and important real-life issues.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harbour Moor Publishing and the author, Cora Blake, for giving me an advanced reader's copy of Quietly Undone.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I thought the topic of domestic abuse was powerfully written. It was a page turner and I got fully invested in the characters' lives. The way the abuse crept in slowly, unnoticeably, was really well written I think, and this book highlighted how easily one can dismiss signs of abuse until it's too late. Would absolutely recommend.

This novel perfectly describes the insidious nature of domestic abuse, coercive control and trauma bonding, so it is not an easy read.
However, it is a worthwhile one... both main characters are well written and the storyline is well thought out.
This is not a fast paced novel, It is, by it's very nature a slow burn, even the main character of Sophie doesn't, fully, realise the seriousness of the situation she finds herself in.
This is the first in a series of novels, and I cannot wait to see where the next one take us!