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After You Fell
Creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling, this is one page-turner you won’t be able to forget!
As one life ends
Louise Lovett’s death was a tragedy.ÌýBut questions still swirl about exactly what happened to Louise that day.ÌýDid she fall â€� or was she pushed?
A new life starts
Helen Matthewsâ€� donor heart saves her life.ÌýBut as her new heart beats inside her, Helen feels the pull of its previous owner â€� despite what everyone is telling her, Helen is certain she has one final message to pass on.
And a dark obsession begins
As the lives of Helen and Louise become ever more entangled, Helen’s obsession gets increasingly out of control.Ìý And the fragile new life she has built begins to fall apartâ€�
‘A very different, enthralling read that I really didn't want to put downâ€� Eleine Brent, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ
‘I found myself turning pages late into the night to see what would happen…a unique story� Jennifer Motz, Netgalley
â€�Wow, just as I thought I was right about the ending, I am proven wrong on the very last pageâ€� Kimberley Bigelow, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ
‘The blurb describes this as creepy, disturbing and genuinely chilling which is spot on� A clever premise, a brilliant read� Nikki’s Book Blog
498 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2019
89 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 5, 2019
WOW! What a brilliant thriller!
Helen Matthews believes she has the ability to communicate with the dead, but her family and friends think otherwise, as she is also bipolar. Having been unwell all her life with a heart condition, she finally receives a donor heart that saves her life. Helen has always known she possesses psychic talents, being able to see the aura of others and to sense their spirit around her, but she has learnt not to share this knowledge with her nearest and dearest - particularly her brother, Simon and her best friend, Chloe. But what caused heart donor, Louise Lovett to fall from a car-park to her tragic death, and was it an accident... or was she pushed? As Helen feels the pull of its previous owner, she becomes increasingly obsessed with Louise and the family she left behind.
Compelling writing and continuous tension ensured that I was riveted to the story for the entirety of the book. Told from Helen's perspective, I really appreciated the narrative and the vivid imagery Jane Lark conveyed. The pacing was comfortable, and the tension soon escalated to nail-biting, suspenseful levels. This was an absolute cracker of a thriller that held no disappointments. The author's characterisation was superb with an eclectic blend of fascinating characters, most of whom were unlikable, though this did not affect my enjoyment of the story.
After You Fell was a cleverly plotted page-turner complete with jaw-dropping twists leading up to an exciting, exhilarating conclusion.
Full of atmosphere, creepiness, jealousy, harboured secrets, and nefarious and questionable intentions, I would recommend this unsettling and unpredictable novel for anyone who enjoys eerie psychological thrillers with a strong paranormal element.
Thank you to JS Lark, Harper Impulse, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read After You Fell. This review was written voluntarily was not influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel .
Helen Matthews believes she has the ability to communicate with the dead, but her family and friends think otherwise, as she is also bipolar. Having been unwell all her life with a heart condition, she finally receives a donor heart that saves her life. Helen has always known she possesses psychic talents, being able to see the aura of others and to sense their spirit around her, but she has learnt not to share this knowledge with her nearest and dearest - particularly her brother, Simon and her best friend, Chloe. But what caused heart donor, Louise Lovett to fall from a car-park to her tragic death, and was it an accident... or was she pushed? As Helen feels the pull of its previous owner, she becomes increasingly obsessed with Louise and the family she left behind.
Compelling writing and continuous tension ensured that I was riveted to the story for the entirety of the book. Told from Helen's perspective, I really appreciated the narrative and the vivid imagery Jane Lark conveyed. The pacing was comfortable, and the tension soon escalated to nail-biting, suspenseful levels. This was an absolute cracker of a thriller that held no disappointments. The author's characterisation was superb with an eclectic blend of fascinating characters, most of whom were unlikable, though this did not affect my enjoyment of the story.
After You Fell was a cleverly plotted page-turner complete with jaw-dropping twists leading up to an exciting, exhilarating conclusion.
Full of atmosphere, creepiness, jealousy, harboured secrets, and nefarious and questionable intentions, I would recommend this unsettling and unpredictable novel for anyone who enjoys eerie psychological thrillers with a strong paranormal element.
Thank you to JS Lark, Harper Impulse, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read After You Fell. This review was written voluntarily was not influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel .
December 13, 2019
Life hasn’t been easy for Helen Matthews, to say the least. She’s always been sickly, has been diagnosed as bipolar, her boyfriend left her and now she needs a heart transplant. After her surgery, she feels as if someone else is inside her body with her. She’s sure it’s the heart donor. Helen is obsessed on finding out about this person’s life.
She reads through obituaries for people who passed away before her surgery and discovers the heart belonged to Louise Lovett. Louise had a tragic death under suspicious circumstances. Helen feels a connection to Louise and becomes entangled with the family Louise left behind. She’s convinced that Louise left some unfinished business and wants Helen’s help to finish it.
This spellbinding book had me hooked from the first page. The author takes you through Helen’s journey - the ups and the downs of her emotional life. The characters are realistic and I cared about what happened to Helen.
I was captivated by the story. There were some slow-moving spots in the middle, but overall I was engrossed in the book. I couldn’t stop reading until I knew how it would all end up.
There were many twists and turns along the way. The author gave us an ending I was totally unprepared for. An intriguing psychological thriller by a new-to-me author. I’ll be looking for more work by her.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
She reads through obituaries for people who passed away before her surgery and discovers the heart belonged to Louise Lovett. Louise had a tragic death under suspicious circumstances. Helen feels a connection to Louise and becomes entangled with the family Louise left behind. She’s convinced that Louise left some unfinished business and wants Helen’s help to finish it.
This spellbinding book had me hooked from the first page. The author takes you through Helen’s journey - the ups and the downs of her emotional life. The characters are realistic and I cared about what happened to Helen.
I was captivated by the story. There were some slow-moving spots in the middle, but overall I was engrossed in the book. I couldn’t stop reading until I knew how it would all end up.
There were many twists and turns along the way. The author gave us an ending I was totally unprepared for. An intriguing psychological thriller by a new-to-me author. I’ll be looking for more work by her.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 8, 2019
Oh my goodness!! I LOVED THIS READ!! It is definitely a spine tingling thriller, that gave me goosebumps and that I highly enjoyed very much.
Jane Lark is a new author to me and I am so thrilled to have read this book in this book tour. Her writing style grabs and captivates the reader right from the start. There are so many great things about this book - from the pacing, the writing of the vantage point, the great cast of characters and the amazing plot - that is indeed Lark's absolute genius and brilliance written in these pages. It is simply amazing.
Louise Lovett falls from a car park - was she pushed? Was it an accident? Was it suicide?
Helen Matthews has a heart condition and finally receives a heart transplant after many years of waiting. She wants to thank the family and finds a tortured husband and their children who have lost a parent. She wants to deliver a message as she is connected with Louise and she is obsessing with her donor's family.
Does she have psychic abilities, or is it the connection she has with Louise that is allowing her to see auras and spirits? Or is it her bipolar disorder?
Told in Helen's point of view, Lark dove deep into Helen's character and fully immersed with complete understanding of the human experience. Her ability to get to the dark places and feelings of loneliness is told in such a beautiful way.
This is such an amazing book that caught me by surprise with the unexpected ending.
I highly recommend this for an amazing thriller that is not be missed!!
Jane Lark is a new author to me and I am so thrilled to have read this book in this book tour. Her writing style grabs and captivates the reader right from the start. There are so many great things about this book - from the pacing, the writing of the vantage point, the great cast of characters and the amazing plot - that is indeed Lark's absolute genius and brilliance written in these pages. It is simply amazing.
Louise Lovett falls from a car park - was she pushed? Was it an accident? Was it suicide?
Helen Matthews has a heart condition and finally receives a heart transplant after many years of waiting. She wants to thank the family and finds a tortured husband and their children who have lost a parent. She wants to deliver a message as she is connected with Louise and she is obsessing with her donor's family.
Does she have psychic abilities, or is it the connection she has with Louise that is allowing her to see auras and spirits? Or is it her bipolar disorder?
Told in Helen's point of view, Lark dove deep into Helen's character and fully immersed with complete understanding of the human experience. Her ability to get to the dark places and feelings of loneliness is told in such a beautiful way.
This is such an amazing book that caught me by surprise with the unexpected ending.
I highly recommend this for an amazing thriller that is not be missed!!
November 30, 2019
I like ghost stories and the paranormal, but not when they’re mixed with an otherwise real-world thriller and also come with frequent mentions of spirits, auras, orbs, angels, etc. By the time I reached the 5% mark, I was already rolling my eyes about the main character’s repetitious thoughts and commentary. I really don’t care what color every other character’s aura is.
Those who are attuned to the more woo-woo side of life will probably enjoy this book, but it’s just not for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
Those who are attuned to the more woo-woo side of life will probably enjoy this book, but it’s just not for me.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.
December 2, 2019
This is definitely a very different, enthralling read that I really didn't want to put down.
Helen Matthews has been ill for all her life but a heart transplant gives her the chance to life a fuller, more active life filled with possibilities. Helen has always believed she has psychic talents, being able to see the aura of people and sense spirits around her, but she has learnt not to share these because others do not understand. However, she becomes somewhat obsessed with just who her donor was, feeling that the heart is trying to get Helen to investigate just what happened to them. She starts by checking out obituaries, moves on to checking out the family of the person she believes is her donor and discovers there are questions regarding just how she came to fall. Did she jump or was she pushed?
Helen has a diagnosis of bipolar and her family are worried by her obsession regarding the donor of her new heart. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story progresses, but the biggest ones are at the end - and they certainly took my breath away! What a surprising, unique story, with great characters, many suppositions and more than its share of mystery and suspense. It certainly is a story that lives up to its tag, being "creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling"!
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it a fascinating read.
Helen Matthews has been ill for all her life but a heart transplant gives her the chance to life a fuller, more active life filled with possibilities. Helen has always believed she has psychic talents, being able to see the aura of people and sense spirits around her, but she has learnt not to share these because others do not understand. However, she becomes somewhat obsessed with just who her donor was, feeling that the heart is trying to get Helen to investigate just what happened to them. She starts by checking out obituaries, moves on to checking out the family of the person she believes is her donor and discovers there are questions regarding just how she came to fall. Did she jump or was she pushed?
Helen has a diagnosis of bipolar and her family are worried by her obsession regarding the donor of her new heart. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story progresses, but the biggest ones are at the end - and they certainly took my breath away! What a surprising, unique story, with great characters, many suppositions and more than its share of mystery and suspense. It certainly is a story that lives up to its tag, being "creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling"!
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and finding it a fascinating read.
April 30, 2020
This book was a lot of fun- it centers on Helen, who was sick most of her life but receives a heart transplant and becomes obsessed with finding out who the heart came from, then embedding herself in that person's family (Louise is the one that died and Alex is her husband).
It;s no secret that I love an unreliable narrator- Helen talks about ghosts and auras but the reader knows she also suffers from mental issues so you'll go back and forth on determining what is really true. I had alot of these moments throughout the book , which made me want to see what happens. Helen isn't super likable (nor are many of the characters, with the possible exception of Simon and Chloe) but she is fun to read about and you feel engaged even if you don't agree with her.
The couple negatives on this book are that it was repetitive and long- the author could have gotten us to the same place in the end in many less words; and the fact that Helen's bipolar disorder seemed to cause issues not well known from those suffering from the disorder and started to feel like a free-for-all for anything that might be causing her issues.
Beyond that, this managed to be fast paced, even when long, I found myself turning pages late into the night to see what would happen. I loved the ended even though I am sure some won't; for me, it felt very satisfying.
I would recommend this book- it's a unique story and a page turner, and I believe readers of this genre will be left satisfied. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It;s no secret that I love an unreliable narrator- Helen talks about ghosts and auras but the reader knows she also suffers from mental issues so you'll go back and forth on determining what is really true. I had alot of these moments throughout the book , which made me want to see what happens. Helen isn't super likable (nor are many of the characters, with the possible exception of Simon and Chloe) but she is fun to read about and you feel engaged even if you don't agree with her.
The couple negatives on this book are that it was repetitive and long- the author could have gotten us to the same place in the end in many less words; and the fact that Helen's bipolar disorder seemed to cause issues not well known from those suffering from the disorder and started to feel like a free-for-all for anything that might be causing her issues.
Beyond that, this managed to be fast paced, even when long, I found myself turning pages late into the night to see what would happen. I loved the ended even though I am sure some won't; for me, it felt very satisfying.
I would recommend this book- it's a unique story and a page turner, and I believe readers of this genre will be left satisfied. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 4, 2019One life transplanted into the other and connected by the heart.
This was Leslie’s story who died and Helen’s who received the heart. Helen was a bipolar who saw auras, and after careful research, she was sure that the spirit of the heart had a message. And then she made her way into delivering the message.
My first book by author J. S. Lark was embroiled with twists as the story progressed down the pages. The ending was completely fun which took me unaware. Helen as the main character was quite different, someone who saw auras. An obsession which grew to unnatural limits And a message which had to be foretold.
The story meandered quite a bit with repetitive dialogues and thoughts in the midsection, but the concept of the story was still loads of fun. It was the ending which caused me to laugh in delight. Ah, the wickedness of the characters!!
Overall, a fun read.
This was Leslie’s story who died and Helen’s who received the heart. Helen was a bipolar who saw auras, and after careful research, she was sure that the spirit of the heart had a message. And then she made her way into delivering the message.
My first book by author J. S. Lark was embroiled with twists as the story progressed down the pages. The ending was completely fun which took me unaware. Helen as the main character was quite different, someone who saw auras. An obsession which grew to unnatural limits And a message which had to be foretold.
The story meandered quite a bit with repetitive dialogues and thoughts in the midsection, but the concept of the story was still loads of fun. It was the ending which caused me to laugh in delight. Ah, the wickedness of the characters!!
Overall, a fun read.
December 11, 2019
Helen has been given a new heart. She has been ill almost as long as she can remember and this now gives her a new start and maybe more than anything the children she craves. She has just left her live in boyfriend and now lives with her brother and his family. Whilst recuperating she takes it upon herself to try and find out who the donor heart belonged to and being bipolar she gets rather fixated on this and so tells no-one else what she is doing. She inveigles her way into Louise’s family to get to her children as her heart is telling her that is what Louise wants her to do. Louise died by falling off a tall building and Helen also thinks there is something rather amiss about how this happened. Helen believes that she hears and feels Louise’s emotions especially when she is with Alex (the father) and the children and even that she has been pushed and that things have moved. Almost a ghost story at times , you just know there is something going on. I had my suspicions�..The blurb describes this as creepy, disturbing and genuinely chilling which is spot on.A clever premise,a brilliant read.
October 14, 2024
This book took many twists and turns. Somewhat predictable but still really captivating.
March 27, 2020
Review for 'After you fell' by J.S.Lark
Read and reviewed via NetGalley
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I must say it certainly won't be my last. The storyline was brilliantly thought out and very unique which is just what I love in a book.
The story captured my attention from the beginning and continued to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout the roller-coaster ride. A true page turner.
I would classify this book as a unique, dark psychological thriller with a touch of horror. It is filled with suspense, tension, questions and emotions. It made me ask questions all the way through until the completely unexpected explosive finale.
Bonus points for being set in the UK which is always a plus for myself living in Wales and for the unexpected ending.
The characters were very well described, as were all the locations, and strong, although I could have shouted at Helen on several occasions. The book was written from Helen's perspective which I enjoyed as I find myself more 'in' the story when it's written from a characters perspective rather than third person.
I highly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers, suspense, paranormal, horror and anyone looking for a good page turner.
Rated 5/5 on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and Amazon
Feel free to follow me on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ for more reviews
£1.99 to purchase on kindle
#NetGalley #AfterYouFell #JSLark
Read and reviewed via NetGalley
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I must say it certainly won't be my last. The storyline was brilliantly thought out and very unique which is just what I love in a book.
The story captured my attention from the beginning and continued to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout the roller-coaster ride. A true page turner.
I would classify this book as a unique, dark psychological thriller with a touch of horror. It is filled with suspense, tension, questions and emotions. It made me ask questions all the way through until the completely unexpected explosive finale.
Bonus points for being set in the UK which is always a plus for myself living in Wales and for the unexpected ending.
The characters were very well described, as were all the locations, and strong, although I could have shouted at Helen on several occasions. The book was written from Helen's perspective which I enjoyed as I find myself more 'in' the story when it's written from a characters perspective rather than third person.
I highly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers, suspense, paranormal, horror and anyone looking for a good page turner.
Rated 5/5 on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and Amazon
Feel free to follow me on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ for more reviews
£1.99 to purchase on kindle
#NetGalley #AfterYouFell #JSLark
December 15, 2019
After You Fell took me on a great, atmospheric and unpredictable rollercoaster ride,
Helen Matthews believes she's psychic, but her family and friends think it's because she’s bipolar. When Helen receives a new heart from Louise’s Lovett, she makes a connection with the donor, who died in a fall. Helen becomes obsessed with discovering whether Louise's fall was accidental, suicide or murder. Helen has to deceive her own family and friends as she becomes more and more involved with Louise's family. I can't say much else about the story without giving away to much, suffice to say Helen's life becomes extremely complicated.
After You Fell was a well-written mix of mystery, romance and paranormal, with multi-dimensional characters who I got to know pretty well as the story unfolded.
J.S. Lark held my attention with this absorbing read that lives up to its billing... creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling page-turner.
Helen Matthews believes she's psychic, but her family and friends think it's because she’s bipolar. When Helen receives a new heart from Louise’s Lovett, she makes a connection with the donor, who died in a fall. Helen becomes obsessed with discovering whether Louise's fall was accidental, suicide or murder. Helen has to deceive her own family and friends as she becomes more and more involved with Louise's family. I can't say much else about the story without giving away to much, suffice to say Helen's life becomes extremely complicated.
After You Fell was a well-written mix of mystery, romance and paranormal, with multi-dimensional characters who I got to know pretty well as the story unfolded.
J.S. Lark held my attention with this absorbing read that lives up to its billing... creepy, disturbing and genuinely thrilling page-turner.
December 10, 2019
After you fell was an outstandingly chilling thriller and I didn't want to even blink. I read as fast as I could and absorbed each word with excitement and suspense. I had to know what happened next.
The pace of this tale kept my interest piqued throughout and excited to get to the end. Of course, then I wished that I had read slower and savoured the story. You can only experience a book for the first time once!
I read a lot of paranormal stories but not many thrillers that have a paranormal aspect.Ìý
With enough twists and turns to surprise me, After You Fell was a great read and one of my favourite thrillers of 2019.
The pace of this tale kept my interest piqued throughout and excited to get to the end. Of course, then I wished that I had read slower and savoured the story. You can only experience a book for the first time once!
I read a lot of paranormal stories but not many thrillers that have a paranormal aspect.Ìý
With enough twists and turns to surprise me, After You Fell was a great read and one of my favourite thrillers of 2019.
January 4, 2020
If I had to pick one word to describeÌýAfter You FellÌýit would be atmospheric. Gripping, dark, exciting, creepy…really, everything I wanted it to be. J.S. Lark has crafted a brilliant novel that I read in one sitting. I could not put it down.
I love everything about this novel. I’m having a hard time doing this review because I honestly just want to pick the novel back up. It’s so good. I think you should just take my word for it and grab yourcopy.
This novel is going on my favorites of 2019 list. Highly recommended!
*Received & reviewed for blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
I love everything about this novel. I’m having a hard time doing this review because I honestly just want to pick the novel back up. It’s so good. I think you should just take my word for it and grab yourcopy.
This novel is going on my favorites of 2019 list. Highly recommended!
*Received & reviewed for blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
December 6, 2019
I absolutely love to discover new authors and I especially love discovering books that give me the heebie jeebies. I know that sounds bad but I don’t mean it that way. If I enjoy a story so much that it sends a shiver or ten down my spine, then I know that’s a sign of a good book. I read the synopsis for ‘After Your Fell� and it certainly sounded like a different sort of read and I mean that in the nicest possible way. For me, the synopsis made the book stand out from others in the same genre. I couldn’t wait to start reading so as soon as I grabbed a cup of tea, I settled down and began to read. It certainly was one hell of a read and then some, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long to get into this book at all. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first dozen or so pages, I knew that my first instinct had been right about this book had been right and that I was going to enjoy it. I couldn’t get enough of the story and I found it extremely difficult to put this one book to one side for any length of time. The more of the story I read, the more intrigued I became and then of course the more I had to read. I think for me, part of the reason whey I loved the book was the fact that the author touched on elements of the ‘other side� or the psychic side of life. Personally I like to think that after death you continue to live on but in a different form as it were ie: as a spirit. I am into all things psychic as it’s a world that fascinates me. I even have psychic powers myself although mine are more likely to predict a disaster or a death in the family so I cover them well up. Anyway that’s enough about me and my beliefs so back to the review I do go. I became so absorbed by the story that I lost all track of time and I was staggered to realise that I had been reading for over two hours. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. In this case, reading the story became an addiction and it was an addiction that I wasn’t going to break. I soon got to the end of the story, which I was disappointed about. No, I don’t mean that in a negative sense but I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn’t want the book to end, even if it did send a shiver or two down my spine.
‘After You Fell� is really well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and once she has it, she will not let it go until the moment you get to the end of the last word on the last page. The author incorporates elements of the psychic side of life into the story without making it sound unbelievable. I hope that makes sense. I felt so convinced by the story that I felt as though I was an extra character in the book and I found myself going through the same emotions that the main characters were going through. I know that this is a work of fiction but I find that if I enjoy a book to the extent that I enjoyed this one then I tend to ‘live� the story as if it were real.
Reading ‘After You Fell� was like being on an at times scary, creepy and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several unexpected twists and turns along the way. At times I almost had to read through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next. I even found that I tried to interact with the book as if the characters could hear me and I was shouting out random warnings about what was going to happen to them.
In short, ‘After You Fell� is one fantastic read and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. People who believe in the psychic or spiritual world will particularly enjoy this book. I will be reading more books by J. S. Lark in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It didn’t take me long to get into this book at all. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first dozen or so pages, I knew that my first instinct had been right about this book had been right and that I was going to enjoy it. I couldn’t get enough of the story and I found it extremely difficult to put this one book to one side for any length of time. The more of the story I read, the more intrigued I became and then of course the more I had to read. I think for me, part of the reason whey I loved the book was the fact that the author touched on elements of the ‘other side� or the psychic side of life. Personally I like to think that after death you continue to live on but in a different form as it were ie: as a spirit. I am into all things psychic as it’s a world that fascinates me. I even have psychic powers myself although mine are more likely to predict a disaster or a death in the family so I cover them well up. Anyway that’s enough about me and my beliefs so back to the review I do go. I became so absorbed by the story that I lost all track of time and I was staggered to realise that I had been reading for over two hours. Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. In this case, reading the story became an addiction and it was an addiction that I wasn’t going to break. I soon got to the end of the story, which I was disappointed about. No, I don’t mean that in a negative sense but I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn’t want the book to end, even if it did send a shiver or two down my spine.
‘After You Fell� is really well written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and once she has it, she will not let it go until the moment you get to the end of the last word on the last page. The author incorporates elements of the psychic side of life into the story without making it sound unbelievable. I hope that makes sense. I felt so convinced by the story that I felt as though I was an extra character in the book and I found myself going through the same emotions that the main characters were going through. I know that this is a work of fiction but I find that if I enjoy a book to the extent that I enjoyed this one then I tend to ‘live� the story as if it were real.
Reading ‘After You Fell� was like being on an at times scary, creepy and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several unexpected twists and turns along the way. At times I almost had to read through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen next. I even found that I tried to interact with the book as if the characters could hear me and I was shouting out random warnings about what was going to happen to them.
In short, ‘After You Fell� is one fantastic read and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. People who believe in the psychic or spiritual world will particularly enjoy this book. I will be reading more books by J. S. Lark in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 13, 2019
Helen Matthews is given a new lease of life. This sickly woman who has been ill as long as she can remember receives a donor heart, allowing her to finally make plans and have hope for the future. She believes she can communicate with the dead, so it's important to her to find out about the person who's heart beats inside her�
The death of a woman, falling from a car park. How did it happen? Is it a suicide, an accident or was the poor victim pushed?
The author keeps the pace as we count the days since the tragic death of Louise Lovett followed by the inquest and the conclusion. Each day adds another layer of fixation, lies and deceit as Helen makes plans based on her belief. She's surrounded by sound, caring people but she manages to pull the wool over their eyes to make her dreams become a reality. Only, is it possible to have an ability to have contact with the dead, psychic ability or is it simply her bipolar disorder?
It took a few chapters to get into the narrative but once hooked, I couldn't let go before until the final words are read. The pace is slow as the narrative builds and definitely adds to the suspense. It's captivating in a creepy way. It's a chilling tale of how someone can manipulate situations for their own gains. The obsessive actions of a woman had me guessing as to how this all would end...I was confident I had sussed it all out until the end when I'm proved wrong...bravo Ms Lark.Ìý
As a début psychological thriller, it's one to make you sit up and take notice. It's twisty, disturbing and will leave you floored.Ìý
***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
The death of a woman, falling from a car park. How did it happen? Is it a suicide, an accident or was the poor victim pushed?
The author keeps the pace as we count the days since the tragic death of Louise Lovett followed by the inquest and the conclusion. Each day adds another layer of fixation, lies and deceit as Helen makes plans based on her belief. She's surrounded by sound, caring people but she manages to pull the wool over their eyes to make her dreams become a reality. Only, is it possible to have an ability to have contact with the dead, psychic ability or is it simply her bipolar disorder?
It took a few chapters to get into the narrative but once hooked, I couldn't let go before until the final words are read. The pace is slow as the narrative builds and definitely adds to the suspense. It's captivating in a creepy way. It's a chilling tale of how someone can manipulate situations for their own gains. The obsessive actions of a woman had me guessing as to how this all would end...I was confident I had sussed it all out until the end when I'm proved wrong...bravo Ms Lark.Ìý
As a début psychological thriller, it's one to make you sit up and take notice. It's twisty, disturbing and will leave you floored.Ìý
***arc generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
December 5, 2019
This chilling novel with a twisted plot and startling end has blown me away!Ìý I was holding my breath throughout while Helen's life kept getting more and more entangled and complex.
The need for love in humans is a terrible thing. It destroys people. It has tried to destroy me lots of times. I need others. I need to belong. I need to be wanted. I need to be needed.
Helen Matthews had suffered many years waiting for a heart and when she finally receives one she is determined to thank the donor's family in an unorthodox way. She finds a tortured husband and three young children who have lost their wife and mother to a possible suicide, but Helen's heart donor is telling her differently.
This is a very unexpected and outstanding tale of loneliness, obsession and dark thoughts. All told in Helen's voice, the author cleverly weaves hopes and doubts into the story to make the reader keep second guessing themselves on what is actually happening.ÌýÌý
Ms. Lark does a remarkable job examining serious topics such as anorexia, bipolar disorder, and mental illness, and how they not only affect the afflicted, but how they affect the families as well.
If you enjoy a surprising psychological thriller, please give this one a try.
Thank you to Ms. Lark for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
The need for love in humans is a terrible thing. It destroys people. It has tried to destroy me lots of times. I need others. I need to belong. I need to be wanted. I need to be needed.
Helen Matthews had suffered many years waiting for a heart and when she finally receives one she is determined to thank the donor's family in an unorthodox way. She finds a tortured husband and three young children who have lost their wife and mother to a possible suicide, but Helen's heart donor is telling her differently.
This is a very unexpected and outstanding tale of loneliness, obsession and dark thoughts. All told in Helen's voice, the author cleverly weaves hopes and doubts into the story to make the reader keep second guessing themselves on what is actually happening.ÌýÌý
Ms. Lark does a remarkable job examining serious topics such as anorexia, bipolar disorder, and mental illness, and how they not only affect the afflicted, but how they affect the families as well.
If you enjoy a surprising psychological thriller, please give this one a try.
Thank you to Ms. Lark for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
December 17, 2019
After You Fell has a very intriguing premise and is a slow-burning and claustrophobic tale of obsessions.
Helen is our � for various reasons � somewhat unreliable narrator and the inside of Helen’s head is often an uncomfortable and unusual place to be. The book is full of descriptive prose and I very much felt I was there with Helen and the other characters throughout their collective journey. There is a lot of emotion in the book and I sympathised with many of the feelings and thoughts, which were well described.
I wasn’t too keen on the references to Helen’s ‘sixth sense�, although this lessened as the book progressed, or on the minutiae of everyone’s actions and mannerisms and daily routines because this made it, for me, a little slow going during the middle. I was champing at the bit to find out more about Helen and Louise.
By the end though, the pace increases and the final few chapters were a rollercoaster of action and emotions.
After You Fell is a dark and hypnotic ride. It is not a break-neck speed thriller, but if you are looking for an eloquent and creepy mystery, this is the book for you.
Helen is our � for various reasons � somewhat unreliable narrator and the inside of Helen’s head is often an uncomfortable and unusual place to be. The book is full of descriptive prose and I very much felt I was there with Helen and the other characters throughout their collective journey. There is a lot of emotion in the book and I sympathised with many of the feelings and thoughts, which were well described.
I wasn’t too keen on the references to Helen’s ‘sixth sense�, although this lessened as the book progressed, or on the minutiae of everyone’s actions and mannerisms and daily routines because this made it, for me, a little slow going during the middle. I was champing at the bit to find out more about Helen and Louise.
By the end though, the pace increases and the final few chapters were a rollercoaster of action and emotions.
After You Fell is a dark and hypnotic ride. It is not a break-neck speed thriller, but if you are looking for an eloquent and creepy mystery, this is the book for you.
December 12, 2019
Helen Matthews has been sick most of her life. It's the reason her and her brother Simon ended up in foster care. When Helen is finally lucky enough to get a heart transplant what should be the start of a new life turns into the start of an obsession. You see, Helen believes she is psychic and can talk to the dead. Her family and friends think this is all a manifestation of her bipolar disorder.
Louise Lovett falls from the top of a car-park and ends up being the donor heart that Helen needs to survive.
As Helen become more obsessed with first finding her donor, and finding out what happened to Louise, her obsession turns to her donors husband and children.
You may not always like Helen, in fact you may not like many of the characters, her need to find out what happened to Louise becomes somewhat disturbing but the twist at the end.. didn't see that one coming. I give this 4 stars and look forward to seeing what else Ms. Lark may have in store for us with future books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the digital review copy of this book.
February 9, 2020
As one life ends
Louise Lovett’s death was a tragedy. But questions still swirl about exactly what happened to Louise that day. Did she fall � or was she pushed?
A new life starts
Helen Matthews� donor heart saves her life. But as her new heart beats inside her, Helen feels the pull of its previous owner � despite what everyone is telling her, Helen is certain she has one final message to pass on.
And a dark obsession begins
As the lives of Helen and Louise become ever more entangled, Helen’s obsession gets increasingly out of control. And the fragile new life she has built begins to fall apart�
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
Louise Lovett’s death was a tragedy. But questions still swirl about exactly what happened to Louise that day. Did she fall � or was she pushed?
A new life starts
Helen Matthews� donor heart saves her life. But as her new heart beats inside her, Helen feels the pull of its previous owner � despite what everyone is telling her, Helen is certain she has one final message to pass on.
And a dark obsession begins
As the lives of Helen and Louise become ever more entangled, Helen’s obsession gets increasingly out of control. And the fragile new life she has built begins to fall apart�
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
December 9, 2019
Wow what a book! It really packs a punch, it has so much going on. A new heart a new start. Having lived with a heart condition all her life Helen receives a donor heart and life can really begin. Simply wanting to find the donor's family to thank them turns to obsession. The author really delved into this characters mind and told her story and all the raw elements of human experience from all points of you in a chilling yet captivating way that you yourself become obsessed with were the story will take you next. The pace was slow to begin with but the intensity grows and grips you and really engages the reader.I never saw the ending coming no clue and it definitely left me reeling. An intense, gritty and thrilling read. I highly recommend this one. I look forward to reading more by this author.
December 27, 2019
#poorpoorHelen. What a bar steward of an ex she’s got. Thank goodness she has brother Simon and bestie Chloe to help her recover from her life changing heart transplant. I can’t imagine how it must be knowing you’ve got part of another human inside of you. Can it affect you?
As the story developed, Helen’s narrative became more unreliable. I’ve been cooped up and housebound following a major surgery and during maternity leave so I sympathised with her overactive imagination. But then she starts to show her obsessive nature with her donor and her donor’s story.
Lark pulls in a supernatural feel to Helens story, which could put some readers off however for me it added to the intrigue. This story is packed with tension which kept me clicking through my kindle pages. I wholeheartedly recommend After You Fell to anyone who loves a psychological thriller with a twist.
As the story developed, Helen’s narrative became more unreliable. I’ve been cooped up and housebound following a major surgery and during maternity leave so I sympathised with her overactive imagination. But then she starts to show her obsessive nature with her donor and her donor’s story.
Lark pulls in a supernatural feel to Helens story, which could put some readers off however for me it added to the intrigue. This story is packed with tension which kept me clicking through my kindle pages. I wholeheartedly recommend After You Fell to anyone who loves a psychological thriller with a twist.
February 26, 2023
From reading the blurb to to the book, I wouldn’t say what I read is what I expected, I feel like the blurb was a bit vague. The first 70 pages dragged but I think it was all because it was character building.
As soon as those 70 pages were over I was obsessed, which is funny because Helen gets obsessed easily too. Throughout the book I was unsure how it was going to go which I loved about it. I feel like I haven’t read a book with this sort of storyline that ended up being this good so I believe the author did a brilliant job.
I love the mini twists at the end too, even though I definitely saw one of them coming, I still love how it was done and how it makes you look at the whole story a different way.
Very happy with this story! Heads up to anyone who wants to read it, some heavy trigger warnings that include suicide and eating disorders.
As soon as those 70 pages were over I was obsessed, which is funny because Helen gets obsessed easily too. Throughout the book I was unsure how it was going to go which I loved about it. I feel like I haven’t read a book with this sort of storyline that ended up being this good so I believe the author did a brilliant job.
I love the mini twists at the end too, even though I definitely saw one of them coming, I still love how it was done and how it makes you look at the whole story a different way.
Very happy with this story! Heads up to anyone who wants to read it, some heavy trigger warnings that include suicide and eating disorders.
December 9, 2019
Helen Matthews has a newly transplanted heart and the conviction that the donor- Louise Lovett- is trying to tell her something. Told in Helen's voice this is the story of a woman with mental health as well as physical health issues who sets off to find out whether her donor fell or was pushed to her death. Is Helen a reliable narrator? Well, she sees auras, she's sure she's got psychic capabilities, and she's becoming obsessed with Alex Lovett, Louise's husband, and their children. She's also not always as likable as you might want a heroine to be but hey- that's not a bad thing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a creepy page turner that will keep you guessing.
December 20, 2019
This has been an interesting read away from my usual genre. This was definitely a book that kept me thinking about it after I was finished.
I’m not going to give any spoilers but the way the lives of Helen and Louise become tangled, really engaged me and kept me gripped.
This is definitely well written and kept me hooked from the beginning. I found I was sucked in and couldn’t put it down.
This is my first read by this author, but I’m certain it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this chilling story.
I’m not going to give any spoilers but the way the lives of Helen and Louise become tangled, really engaged me and kept me gripped.
This is definitely well written and kept me hooked from the beginning. I found I was sucked in and couldn’t put it down.
This is my first read by this author, but I’m certain it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this chilling story.
December 14, 2020
After you Fell is a tale of obsession, in this case with the children of a widower, following his wife’s death.
Helen has always been unwell and at last received a new heart, but with the heart comes the sixth sense that the donor is living on within her and is out to cause trouble.
It’s hard to say too much without giving anything away, but for me it wasn’t so much page-turning as too long and drawn out. I didn’t like Helen, which didn’t help either.
Give me ‘The Twins� by the same author any day.
Helen has always been unwell and at last received a new heart, but with the heart comes the sixth sense that the donor is living on within her and is out to cause trouble.
It’s hard to say too much without giving anything away, but for me it wasn’t so much page-turning as too long and drawn out. I didn’t like Helen, which didn’t help either.
Give me ‘The Twins� by the same author any day.
November 28, 2019
Thank you to Net Gallery and Harper Collins Publishing for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Wow, just as I thought I was right about the ending, I am proven wrong on the very last page. A fast passed thriller that follows heart transplant patient Helen on a journey that some might just say is crazy. While I felt a few parts in the middle of the book were a little blah, overall a good book. Looking forward to more thriller from L.S Lark.
Wow, just as I thought I was right about the ending, I am proven wrong on the very last page. A fast passed thriller that follows heart transplant patient Helen on a journey that some might just say is crazy. While I felt a few parts in the middle of the book were a little blah, overall a good book. Looking forward to more thriller from L.S Lark.
August 25, 2022
This is a page turner if you can get beyond the idea that someone’s personality can invade another’s through a heart transplant - if not you must view the narrator as mentally ill the whole way through the novel, despite her protestations otherwise. I found the main protagonist unlikeable and utterly self-centred. It was an interesting and unusual premise for a novel though that will stay with me.
August 16, 2020
Well after reading the other reviews, it seems to be just me who didn't particularly enjoy this novel! I liked the idea of it and the ending but oh it seemed to be such a tedious ride getting there! I really did find it rather boring and that it took a long time to go anywhere fast . At the same time, it did arise my curiosity enough to keep reading, so can't have been all bad!
July 31, 2023
Twisty & Compelling Thriller!!!
You will NOT figure out the turns and twists in this one!! What a unique premise to the motivations of the main character!! The settings are gorgeous & the writing is brilliant!! Well constructed plot with building tension and complex & well developed characters!! LOVED IT!!:-)
You will NOT figure out the turns and twists in this one!! What a unique premise to the motivations of the main character!! The settings are gorgeous & the writing is brilliant!! Well constructed plot with building tension and complex & well developed characters!! LOVED IT!!:-)
December 19, 2019
Really clever and interesting read. Helen needs a new heart and her donor died in a tragic way. So why does Helen feel the need to follow her new heart and investigate the death of Louise? A thrilling suspenseful story that I really enjoyed.
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