Who kidnapped Elena Dumont? And what do they really want?
Elena Dumont appears to have it a charmed life, a handsome boyfriend and wealthy, successful parents.
But when she is kidnapped, she is forced to confront the problems that lurk beneath her perfect facade.
Although she is terrified, Elena digs deep and shows resilience and courage. One of her captors notices her bravery and they develop an unlikely bond.
Elena is faced with a should she trust this man who is supposed to be her enemy?
She embarks on a dark journey to discover who is behind her kidnapping and why they would want her abducted in the first place.
The web of deceit she uncovers has earth shattering consequences. Will Elena make the right choice? And will she find out who is behind the kidnapping before they strike again?
When I Know Your Name , the spellbinding psychological thriller from G.M. Lawrence.
G.M. Lawrence writes fast-paced, standalone psychological suspense novels that can be read in any order.
Originally from Kent, Gemma’s family moved to the New Forest in the south of England when she was a child. She’s been lucky to have had the opportunity to travel and has spent time in New Zealand, America and Spain. She lives in Hampshire with her husband, daughter and two chaotic cats.
Compelled to write and get her imaginary worlds out of her head and onto paper, Gemma completed a creative writing course, which kick-started her writing career. She believes in capturing the many issues women face today, often in silence.
When not writing, Gemma works for a busy community interest company and loves to spend time with her family.
Previously published under Gemma M. Lawrence, she now publishes under G.M. Lawrence.
Holy crap y’all.. I could not put this down. I was hooked from the first 3 chapters! Absolutely gripping.
This novel is listed as a mystery/thriller on netgalley.. I can see that part. But there is such a great romantic suspense aspect. There was a bit of spice.. (not much, only like 🌶️🌶️)
But if you love a morally grey anti-hero who will burn the world for thr FMC.. you’ll love this.. think Stockholm syndrome but make it “romantic� 🤷🏼♀�
With lots of family drama, twists and turns, and a little romance.. this abduction thriller isn’t at all what you’d expect.
For fans of Mary Kubica’s “Good Girl�.. this would be right up your alley!
Who kidnapped Elena Dumont? And what do they really want?
She embarks on a dark journey to discover who is behind her kidnapping and why they would want her abducted in the first place.
This is a thriller, but also has a bit of a romance aspect to it. I wasn't quite sure how I would find it, but really enjoyed it.
Elena showed lots of resilience and the way she stood up to 'Cigarettes' - I could have applauded her. Where lots of people would have given up, she wouldn't let things go and wanted answers. I loved how strong she was on the outside, but once alone she let the emotion out.
There were a few twists to this story, which I didn't see coming and kept me hooked to the end.
I was hooked from the first chapter. It was gripping and fast-paced, and I felt really immersed in the story. I liked Elenas character and how her abduction made her stronger as a person. I thought Ethan and Elenas relationship was strange, how it developed, but I did enjoy reading about them aswell. I was shocked at who the abducter was and also the last chapter! It was a great twist. Overall, it is a stimulating thriller with a bit of spice.
Fabulous! I was so gripped and tense, that I held my breath pretty much right though!
A young woman is abducted and abused, but is helplessly drawn to her captor. Why is he holding her and how is she going to get out?
Elena was an engaging and relatable protagonist and I was fascinated by the fireworks between her and the man holding her. It was so much more than Stockholm syndrome, it was ELECTRIC!
But this is no simple romance story, this is twisted, sinister and intense. The experience changes Elena and as she embraces her new strength, she needs to find out whether she can trust any of the people she believed in. And in order to do that, she has to put her whole life in the hands of the enemy.
One of my top reads of this year. 5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, G. M. Lawrence and Inkubator for an ARC in return for an honest review.
This book had twists and turns from start to finish. Elena was a great main character and I rooted from her from start to finish. Ethan was a questionable character but I really wanted them to work out. I’m glad they did. I wanted Elena to stick up to her family more. They were not nice and were not supportive of her.
Overall, this was a great book and I really enjoyed it.
I am usually not a big fan of kidnap romances but in this authentic romance thriller I am definitely a fan! Alayna is from a very rich and affluent family and her kidnappers want to cash in on it. She gives a Ballian effort and trying to get away but unfortunately they give her a shot and knock her out but it won’t be her last escape attempt. She has first left with “the cigarette smoker,� he is a big time jerk and wants her to do unspeakable ax just for a sip of water. Alayna is having none of it even slapping him despite his violent nature. Then to her talk the good looking guy she saw at the coffee shop and thought about all day walks in. Despite him being her kidnapper he is also a pseudo-savior because he keeps “the smoker� at bay she knows they are waiting on her dad to pay the ransom but unfortunately Alayna has a long wait and will uncover some ugly truths before it’s over. I thought this was a mystery thriller and to be honest I would never hit download it had I known it was a romance but OMG am I glad I did I couldn’t put this book down it was so good and the tentative friendship/romance seem to happen so authentically I was in it before I knew it and rooting for both of them. Will the kidnappers get what they want or will Elena? Could there be a third alternative that makes everyone involved happy and please oh please will the smoker get his comeuppance? I love the spot where can honestly say it is a five star read. If you love romance thrillers/mysteries then you’ll definitely love this book I certainly did. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review I received this book from Book sprout and incubator books but I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the second book I've read by this author and having loved the last one, I rushed to grab this one too.
Once again, this is a fantasticly creepy psychological thriller full of twists and which I found completely gripping from the start. I just love the writing style which presents you with a situation, messes with your theories and builds up the all the way to the end so you just can't put it down until you've got to the end!
Elena has everything....that is, until she gets kidnapped. She is rightly petrified but in the situation, has to dig deep and be brave to hold it together. When her and one of her captors build up an unlikely bond, things heat up and Elena delves deeper to try and work out who really kidnapped her and why!?
The characters were well thought out and presented and I loved the contrast between the perfect life Elena showed and what actually was going on in her life. The intense development of the romance was most unexpected but so well written that I found myself really doubting who I could trust.
Whoa. That was my first thought when I finished this read. This is such an interesting story. It definitely did not end up the way that I was expecting. Elena is kidnapped and has to survive to find out why and whom is behind her kidnapping. Elena is aware she has a great life, but while captive, she has to reconsider whether she is actually happy. I tried to out myself in her position and it was so hard! I don’t know if I would have the same resilience! Definitely recommend this one! 4 ⭐️ from me!
I first gave this book 4 stars. It was truly engrossing. But its certainly not great literature...
But I changed it to 5 stars after I told 3 friends about it. I was up half the night reading it!
A woman is kidnapped. Why? Who is responsible? What happens to her?
I don't want to give you any further details because this book surprised me over and over. It went down a crazy path that I did not see coming. Its more fun if you go in blind. I really loved this book. I was entertained the whole way through.
If you are looking for "lyrical prose" this isn't the book for you.. But if you are looking for pure fun reading escapism, pick this one up.
My Thoughts: I always hate it when a book cover says something about a book being tense or gripping or in this case nail biting because you can normally guarantee that it lets you down. But this one lives up to it and more, so much so that I felt uncomfortable more than once, but it didn’t stop me from reading, I couldn’t put this one down!!
The awful things l that happened in this story are things that can and do happen in real life and that added a whole new layer to the story, I found myself getting so cross with Elena’s dad and commented out loud to my kindle on more than one occasion!
Throw in a twist in the story in the form of romance with the last person you’d expect and this book had everything you could want and more, it will keep you guessing until the end & keep playing over in your mind long after you’ve finished it!
This is the second book I’ve read and loved l by G.M. Lawrence and I will definitely be looking out for more in the future.
My unrestrained thoughts: What the fuck was that? An emotional rollercoaster ride of the author playing with my emotions!
Now, onto a little sophisticated review � it may contain tiny spoilers!
When I Know Your Name by G.M. Lawrence is a psychological thriller where we meet Elena Dumont, who seems to have a perfect life. Well, as far as a rich family, a handsome boyfriend, and a successful career is concerned. But things go south real quick when she is kidnapped without any apparent motive. The turn Elena’s life takes then is entirely thrilling, pulling you into the mystery right beside her.
The mystery of the book is well-planned, with it starting right in the first chapter. What sets this apart from other kidnapping stories is the twists the author throws after the protagonist’s release. Elena teams up with her own kidnapper (Stockholm syndrome, but make it romantic) to find who was behind her abduction and the things that were revealed� I did not see those coming, especially at the end.
After I started to read it, I wasn’t sure why everyone loved this book. And that’s because I found the part of her captivity part a tad boring. Nothing significant happened, . But that was justified because what else is there to do when you are kidnapped? Survive, overthink, and try to sleep, of course.
I really loved the change in Elena’s behaviour after the release. There was a deeper, fucked up mind driving the protagonist, and only after reading and mulling over the book would you notice that. I wasn’t expecting such a nuanced character and her questionable character arc, which blew me away. As you can imagine, my initial thoughts about the book’s likability flew out the window.
What I liked about the book:
Elena’s fluctuating emotions: Lawrence perfectly captures the ever-changing thought process of the protagonist. She felt strong one moment and weak the next. Healing one moment and in pain the next. It was a subtle way to show how the kidnapping had affected her psyche and how unhinged she was slowly becoming.
The twists: I have this habit of reading ahead because I have lost my patience, haha. So, I read ahead as usual, and my jaw dropped. Literally gasped like my soul was sucked out by a Dementor. And then I went back, completed the pending part and gasped again! The same happened with the next sections, too. It was a chef’s kiss.
The other characters: Some other characters, such as Elena’s father and Charlotte, are some of the best characterizations. Her father’s mere presence is enough to show why Elena is the way she is. And that really cemented his personality in my mind. Even though I hate him (maybe more than Elena), his portrayal is realistic enough to be believable. The same goes for Charlotte � she perfectly nailed the role of a concerned but supportive best friend. I felt like she was based on my own best friend, hehe!
What I wasn’t impressed with:
The first and foremost thing I didn’t like was the build-up of the romance. Though Ethan and Elena seem solid later, the start of their relationship is rocky yet instant. Their attraction felt unnatural (given the circumstances, understandable), but they oddly reminded me of Edward and Bella. Mainly because their relationship showed an obvious power imbalance, dependency, and convoluted love. But... It’s still a better love story than Twilight.
Another thing that bothered me was the vagueness around Ethan’s work. He just told her he did that and that without explaining it to Elena (or us). It seemed like the author didn’t want to dive into the technical aspects of his job or didn’t think of elaborating as it was from Elena’s POV. But the surface explanations about him getting all that sensitive information threw me off. I would’ve definitely loved more detailed descriptions about him and his work!
My final thoughts? Go and read it! You won’t be disappointed. This book is really a psychological thriller because my mind was fucked up for days after I finished it!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review! #arcreview
Who kidnapped Elena Dumont? And what do they really want? Elena Dumont appears to have it a charmed life, a handsome boyfriend and wealthy, successful parents. But when she is kidnapped, she is forced to confront the problems that lurk beneath her perfect facade. Although she is terrified, Elena digs deep and shows resilience and courage. One of her captors notices her bravery and they develop an unlikely bond. Elena is faced with a should she trust this man who is supposed to be her enemy? She embarks on a dark journey to discover who is behind her kidnapping and why they would want her abducted in the first place. The web of deceit she uncovers has earth shattering consequences. Will Elena make the right choice? And will she find out who is behind the kidnapping before they strike again?
This is a thrilling read. Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start. Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable. Great suspense and action with wonderful world building. Can't wait to read what the author brings out next. Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Do not start reading this before bed or you will likely find yourself tired the next day after staying up all night reading. A mix of dark romance, mystery and psychological thriller, I really enjoyed this book. There are plenty of suspects, twists and turns and even when you think it is solved, there is more.
Elena’s story keeps your attention throughout. The strained family dynamics, getting over a kidnapping while trying to find out the truth and a ‘new� love interest as she recovers from her ordeal. The others take a backseat but are interesting enough that the storyline seems well rounded. I just wish it ended differently for her so she could truly have a fresh start.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I was easily hooked to this story from the get go. Who kidnapped Elena and what did they want? That is the question Elena is determined to get the answers to. A kidnapping thriller with romance and the author has nailed it! I was more thrilled with the romance side of things then anything else but I also wanted the answer to the mystery. I cringed a few times although I loved how Elena remained strong and stood up to her kidnappers and then fell apart in private. This one really had my heart racing from the thrills, action and romance. If you want a action packed thriller with suspense and romance then this is definitely the book for you.
I felt this book was well-crafted and the writing style was captivating. While I enjoyed the book, I have to admit there were certain elements of the story that left me feeling conflicted. I had a hard time embracing the concept of a captive falling for her captor. I understand Stockholm Syndrome, but it still left me feeling a bit unsettled. The connection between Elena and her captor seemed rushed and a bit difficult to grasp. I have not read anything by this author prior to this book and might have to look for more.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
I love a good psychological thriller, especially when it is written well and includes details that are realistic, such as creating a bond with your captor when trying to escape. I really liked that the main character had more to her than meets the eye. She wasn’t just rich and had everything handed to her. She showed strength, courage and wiles that led her to a better situation, as well as showing the mind the crack the case and find out what was really happening in her abduction. The level of energy and excitement, in this book, was excellent. It really brought the scenes to life and made the journey both exciting and fun.
You never really know how your name can sound soooo EERIE until you’re in a situation when it happens. You know where the hairs on your neck stand up and your body knows before your brain really registers that somethings wrong. This book is an edge of your seat, from the first page to the end, kinda book. You won’t want to put this book down and when you think it’s all over� you get a very surprise ending. Loved this book!! Highly recommended!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I like this author a lot! This is my second book by her and it was great! Kind of long in some bits but a really fun story overall. The romantic aspect of it was a little hard for me to get behind, but alls well that ends well. I gotta say, I was a little bummed when we found out when was responsible for the kidnapping because it felt…predicable. But LOVED what this author did with that last chapter. Brilliant! Really liked this one. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It was going strong, though will be 4/5 stars, I am ok with the dark romance path in the thriller, some unhealthy obcessions, ok...but after that one dialog "I will hurt you, you need to leave", couldn't take this book seriously anymore. Felt like I am suddenly reading a cheesy YA. All the protection from Ethan's side caused only the eye-roll afterwards. After that, it was 2/3 stars for me, but I was curious enough to finish, so 3 stars it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Elena Dumont comes from a well to do family. A family that really is quite dysfunctional. When her worst fear--being kidnapped happens, things change for Elena, it makes her question those around her. But when the sorted truth comes out, will that be her undoing? I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
I was drawn in to this thrilling story right from the first page. It was a real page turner and kept me guessing along the way. Some fantastic twists that had me hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and highly recommend to other readers who enjoy thrillers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A fast paced book with jaw dropping suspense as deep dark secrets are revealed one after another. The ending was mind blowing as all the pieces to the mystery came together.
For a reader who likes romance novels, this may be a good choice. I thought it was super cheesy and shlocky with the most cringeworthy dialogue I've had the displeasure of reading. And the villain(s) were obvious and predictable.
When I Know Your Name offers a classic twisty thriller/revenge novel. Protagonist Elena is kidnapped outside her London apartment while on a jog, presumably as a result of her well-known family wealth. As she's held in captivity, she develops a connection with the handsome leader of her kidnapping heist. When I Know Your Name has a good mix of predictable and surprising twists, making it a quick and light read for fans of psychological thrillers. The dialogue is stiff at times but does not hold it back from being enjoyable. There are some steamier scenes that don't go over the top.
Pure gold dust of a read. I was gripped the whole way through. Intense, fast paced with tons of surprises the whole way through. I loved the evolution of Elena's character too.
Loved This story of a damsel and a so called mobster. Elena was stronger than she thought. She just had to find her confidence and it took Ethan to help her.