What do you think?
Rate this book
Valentina
When Glasgow journalist Shona McGilvery moves with her partner Mikey and their baby to an idyllic cottage in rural Scotland, they believe that all that lies ahead of them is happiness.
But with Mikey working offshore, the frightening isolation of the Aberdeenshire countryside begins to drive her insane...
That is, until she is rescued by a new friendship with the enchanting Valentina.
She has the perfect home, the perfect man, and a charismatic new best friend – or does she?
As her fairytale life begins to unravel, the deep dark wood becomes the least of her fears...
A hauntingly intelligent, addictive psychological thriller from debut author S.E. Lynes.
But with Mikey working offshore, the frightening isolation of the Aberdeenshire countryside begins to drive her insane...
That is, until she is rescued by a new friendship with the enchanting Valentina.
She has the perfect home, the perfect man, and a charismatic new best friend – or does she?
As her fairytale life begins to unravel, the deep dark wood becomes the least of her fears...
A hauntingly intelligent, addictive psychological thriller from debut author S.E. Lynes.
280 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2016
892 people are currently reading
2,639 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Lynes
27 books785 followersS. E. Lynes is the #1 Amazon best selling author of THE HOUSEWARMING, and 'intelligent and haunting' psychological thrillers, VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE PACT, THE PROPOSAL, THE WOMEN, THE LIES WE HIDE, CAN YOU SEE HER? and HER SISTER'S SECRET
Formerly a BBC producer, after gaining an MA in Creative Writing, she became a Creative Writing Tutor at Richmond Adult Community College and now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. She has also published three children's books in Italy.
Formerly a BBC producer, after gaining an MA in Creative Writing, she became a Creative Writing Tutor at Richmond Adult Community College and now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing. She has also published three children's books in Italy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
June 15, 2016
*Thank you to Blackbird Digital Books and S. E. Lynes for my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review*
I sort of knew which way this story was headed pretty early on really, but did it spoil my enjoyment of it? Not in the least! It was a joy to see how the author revealed the journey and the many dizzying paths she took us down, towards it's gripping conclusion.
Shona is a no-nonsense Glasgow girl (Govan to be exact), and when she, and her partner Mikey and their new baby Isla, move to a rural cottage outside of Aberdeen, Shona isn't sure how she'll cope after the hustle and bustle of her home city. She loved the cottage on sight, but Mikey's new job on the oil rigs means he'll be working offshore for two weeks out of four, leaving her alone with no family or friends nearby. She finds this new life unbearable and feels she's going insane. She decides to check out a local nursery for Isla, thinking that her career as a journalist, means she may be able to find work with a local newspaper. This is where she meets Valentina and her life takes a turn for the better. Valentina has a baby boy the same age as Isla and besides that, she and Shona hit it off immediately. They share the same sense of humour, and pretty soon Valentina becomes a permanent and necessary part of Shona's life.
All is not as it seems however, and secrets and lies of great magnitude will be revealed, which come at a terrible cost to all involved.
Wow! This was a brilliant read - it was completely captivating, the storyline was a winner, and the characters were superbly drawn, and the plot ? Well that really got a hold of me. It was gripping and played havoc with my emotions. But hey, don't listen to me waffle on, just grab yourself a copy if you can!
I sort of knew which way this story was headed pretty early on really, but did it spoil my enjoyment of it? Not in the least! It was a joy to see how the author revealed the journey and the many dizzying paths she took us down, towards it's gripping conclusion.
Shona is a no-nonsense Glasgow girl (Govan to be exact), and when she, and her partner Mikey and their new baby Isla, move to a rural cottage outside of Aberdeen, Shona isn't sure how she'll cope after the hustle and bustle of her home city. She loved the cottage on sight, but Mikey's new job on the oil rigs means he'll be working offshore for two weeks out of four, leaving her alone with no family or friends nearby. She finds this new life unbearable and feels she's going insane. She decides to check out a local nursery for Isla, thinking that her career as a journalist, means she may be able to find work with a local newspaper. This is where she meets Valentina and her life takes a turn for the better. Valentina has a baby boy the same age as Isla and besides that, she and Shona hit it off immediately. They share the same sense of humour, and pretty soon Valentina becomes a permanent and necessary part of Shona's life.
All is not as it seems however, and secrets and lies of great magnitude will be revealed, which come at a terrible cost to all involved.
Wow! This was a brilliant read - it was completely captivating, the storyline was a winner, and the characters were superbly drawn, and the plot ? Well that really got a hold of me. It was gripping and played havoc with my emotions. But hey, don't listen to me waffle on, just grab yourself a copy if you can!
June 11, 2016
I received a copy of Valentina by S.E. Lynes through Blackbird Books for an honest review. Thank you to Blackbird and to Ms. Lynes for the opportunity.
"What makes you safe, ultimately limits you....."
And there are no limitations in this psychological thriller by S.E. Lynes. I am finally coming up for air between bouts of hyperventilating.
Shona McGilvery is a local journalist who deals with just the facts and wears sensible shoes while pursuing a lead story. Her footsteps, aimed with pleasure this time, take her into a well-populated bar where she meets Mikey Quinn and the sparks fly. Soon Shona finds herself pregnant. She and her partner, Mikey, decide to lease a country cottage in Aberdeenshire. Mikey will work offshore in the North Sea on an oil rig. Little Isla, their new baby, thrives in this peaceful setting.
But then....the Celts always love a bonnie good fairytale, don't they just now?
Lonely with Mikey away on the oil rig for weeks at a time, Shona decides to place little Isla into a nursery school for a few hours. On the steps of the school, Shona meets the vivacious Valentina who is dressed as a free spirit with Titian hair flowing down her back and a hefty baby on her hip. The two hit it off immediately and become fast friends: Valentina, a rebel with a decided cause, and Shona, more guarded and less of a risk-taker. Like magnets on opposite ends of a cord, these two gravitate towards one another and are inseparable.
Friends may see things up close and personal. Friends may see these same things sharply from a distance, observing, gazing but still somewhat detached.
S.E. Lynes has a crisp writing style with strokes of brisk and taunting humor. Lynes describes one of the nursery school teachers as having "a millipede of grey at the roots of her dull, brown hair." She also uses brilliant little insets of soliloquy interspersed between chapters as if a character were poised at the window.
I find myself in awe that this is truly a debut novel. The characterizations are deep and well-developed. The tension is taut without breaking a beat. The pages flew one after another. Without question, I look forward to the next offering by S.E. Lynes. I'm sure it will be a stunner.
"What makes you safe, ultimately limits you....."
And there are no limitations in this psychological thriller by S.E. Lynes. I am finally coming up for air between bouts of hyperventilating.
Shona McGilvery is a local journalist who deals with just the facts and wears sensible shoes while pursuing a lead story. Her footsteps, aimed with pleasure this time, take her into a well-populated bar where she meets Mikey Quinn and the sparks fly. Soon Shona finds herself pregnant. She and her partner, Mikey, decide to lease a country cottage in Aberdeenshire. Mikey will work offshore in the North Sea on an oil rig. Little Isla, their new baby, thrives in this peaceful setting.
But then....the Celts always love a bonnie good fairytale, don't they just now?
Lonely with Mikey away on the oil rig for weeks at a time, Shona decides to place little Isla into a nursery school for a few hours. On the steps of the school, Shona meets the vivacious Valentina who is dressed as a free spirit with Titian hair flowing down her back and a hefty baby on her hip. The two hit it off immediately and become fast friends: Valentina, a rebel with a decided cause, and Shona, more guarded and less of a risk-taker. Like magnets on opposite ends of a cord, these two gravitate towards one another and are inseparable.
Friends may see things up close and personal. Friends may see these same things sharply from a distance, observing, gazing but still somewhat detached.
S.E. Lynes has a crisp writing style with strokes of brisk and taunting humor. Lynes describes one of the nursery school teachers as having "a millipede of grey at the roots of her dull, brown hair." She also uses brilliant little insets of soliloquy interspersed between chapters as if a character were poised at the window.
I find myself in awe that this is truly a debut novel. The characterizations are deep and well-developed. The tension is taut without breaking a beat. The pages flew one after another. Without question, I look forward to the next offering by S.E. Lynes. I'm sure it will be a stunner.
May 8, 2016
What an unexpected surprise this book turned out to be.
I wasn't expecting it to enthrall me in the degree it did.
Psychopathic manipulation
WOW
Shona now has a new baby and her partner Mickey works offshore. Shona is left alone and of course moving into another place, unfamiliar with anyone and no friends or companions she seeks out to find one.
Oh she finds one alright.
Shona has what everyone wants, a loving partner, baby, nice home, nice life, new friend.
Is this going to work out for her?
This is a fast moving story, yet, its deviousness in the mind of Shona is slowly worked on.
I thank the author for getting in touch with me asking if I would like to read it because I would have missed out on something really special in this book.
The author does a fabulous job with the characters and breathing them to life.
This is a dark mystery thriller with undertones
It really blew my mind this one.
Stood out among many a read, so thank you S E Lynes for my copy.
June 20, 2016
I received an eARC of Valentina: a hauntingly intelligent psychological thriller by S.E. Lynes from Blackbird Digital books for free in exchange for an honest review.
I have had a hard time deciding how I feel about this book, but if characters disturb me or the story sticks in my head then I give it a good rating because the writer has me thinking about the story long after I'm done. S.E. Lynes has written a story that builds in tension throughout towards an intriguing, but predictable ending. The book is divided into three parts and is told in a narrative style by the main female characters, Shona and Valentina.
Shona McGilvery, her partner Mikey and their baby Isla move to a remote cottage in rural Scotland before Mikey begins his new job on an off-shore oil rig. He will be home two weeks and gone two weeks. It turns into a sometimes scary and often lonely existence for Shona until she meets the exciting Valentina. Valentina has an infant son the same age as Isla, but her personal life is more mysterious and exciting. The two become best friends, but things start happening that make Shona question her friend’s truthfulness.
Shona, Valentina and Mikey are all well written characters that are completely believable. My emotions where all over the place. At first, I felt the story was moving a little slowly and that Shona was too naïve to have been a reporter. Then, as I got further into the story and more lies are told, I got angry and wanted Shona to get smart and grow a spine, which she did eventually.
This is a very well written debut novel. A little slow to take off and definitely predictable, but still suspenseful. This thriller is worth the read!
I have had a hard time deciding how I feel about this book, but if characters disturb me or the story sticks in my head then I give it a good rating because the writer has me thinking about the story long after I'm done. S.E. Lynes has written a story that builds in tension throughout towards an intriguing, but predictable ending. The book is divided into three parts and is told in a narrative style by the main female characters, Shona and Valentina.
Shona McGilvery, her partner Mikey and their baby Isla move to a remote cottage in rural Scotland before Mikey begins his new job on an off-shore oil rig. He will be home two weeks and gone two weeks. It turns into a sometimes scary and often lonely existence for Shona until she meets the exciting Valentina. Valentina has an infant son the same age as Isla, but her personal life is more mysterious and exciting. The two become best friends, but things start happening that make Shona question her friend’s truthfulness.
Shona, Valentina and Mikey are all well written characters that are completely believable. My emotions where all over the place. At first, I felt the story was moving a little slowly and that Shona was too naïve to have been a reporter. Then, as I got further into the story and more lies are told, I got angry and wanted Shona to get smart and grow a spine, which she did eventually.
This is a very well written debut novel. A little slow to take off and definitely predictable, but still suspenseful. This thriller is worth the read!
February 10, 2017
Wow what an unexpected twist and surprise to this dark thriller. Top 10 for my 2016 novels!!!
In all honesty, I am REALLY surprised that this novel has not gotten more hype. I'm wondering why my Goodreads friends haven't read this! This is a debut novel so I'm assuming that not many people are familiar with S.E Lynes but people start reading her novels!! :)
I really did not see this coming.. S.E Lynes did an amazing job with portraying Shona, Mikey , and Valentina.
Man... What can I say? I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil it for others but please do read this! I highly recommend it.... Especially if you are into psychological crazy thrillers. I can't stop thinking about the ending and the continued twists that the author kept throwing out!! I could not get enough of this book.
I am anxiously awaiting for S.E Lynes' next novel to come out. You know an author is excellent when you search and stalk the internet to see if another book is coming out haha.
And last time I checked this was .99 on Amazon :).
In all honesty, I am REALLY surprised that this novel has not gotten more hype. I'm wondering why my Goodreads friends haven't read this! This is a debut novel so I'm assuming that not many people are familiar with S.E Lynes but people start reading her novels!! :)
I really did not see this coming.. S.E Lynes did an amazing job with portraying Shona, Mikey , and Valentina.
Man... What can I say? I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to spoil it for others but please do read this! I highly recommend it.... Especially if you are into psychological crazy thrillers. I can't stop thinking about the ending and the continued twists that the author kept throwing out!! I could not get enough of this book.
I am anxiously awaiting for S.E Lynes' next novel to come out. You know an author is excellent when you search and stalk the internet to see if another book is coming out haha.
And last time I checked this was .99 on Amazon :).
August 19, 2019
*disdain*
The plot moved at a slow pace. I recall almost two chapters being devoted to Valentina and Shona just having "banter" which involved them acting like mentally challenged children, and telling really bad one-liners and jokes to each other. That reminds me, there was a heavy use of colloquial dialect in this novel which was overkill. I just don't think that British slang and Scottish gutter talk has any place in literature. Sorry.
Any parts of the book that were believable were incredibly basic or dull. As for the sections that were intended to be brilliant or thrilling, were very unconvincing and lacked basic theory of mind. For example, I remember one chapter of the book in which Shona speaks about once seeing a teenage boy on the verge of being attacked by thugs/gang leaders. Shona feeling morally obligated to intervene, succeeds in persuading the hooligans not to assault the boy by simply telling them that there's half price pints in the local pub (go Shona!) to which they jump at the news. If a writer is going to portray a character as being diplomatic, I think they will have to try harder than that. I chose this scene in particular as it is trivial when taking the entire story into account, and therefore does not disclose any spoilers, but my point applies to the grand scheme of the book.
The attempt at making an enigmatic and alluring character that is Valentina of course, was a failure. Valentina remains intriguing for all of about thirty seconds when she’s being introduced to the reader for the first time. She is a woman with a striking appearance, a sexy name, long red hair, and she speaks in an Australian accent. Then, she strikes up conversation with Shona, and they immediately become buddies, but from there on the writing just portrays Valentina as your average Eastenders/Coronation Street woman, with certain chapters trying to portray her as complex and interesting such as ignoring one of Shona’s questions, and drawing finger paintings on the condensation-covered windows of Shona's car.
I was three quarters of the way through the book when I decided enough was enough. I googled a summary of the story to find out what the ending entailed, and I wasn’t even that surprised nor did I care.
The plot moved at a slow pace. I recall almost two chapters being devoted to Valentina and Shona just having "banter" which involved them acting like mentally challenged children, and telling really bad one-liners and jokes to each other. That reminds me, there was a heavy use of colloquial dialect in this novel which was overkill. I just don't think that British slang and Scottish gutter talk has any place in literature. Sorry.
Any parts of the book that were believable were incredibly basic or dull. As for the sections that were intended to be brilliant or thrilling, were very unconvincing and lacked basic theory of mind. For example, I remember one chapter of the book in which Shona speaks about once seeing a teenage boy on the verge of being attacked by thugs/gang leaders. Shona feeling morally obligated to intervene, succeeds in persuading the hooligans not to assault the boy by simply telling them that there's half price pints in the local pub (go Shona!) to which they jump at the news. If a writer is going to portray a character as being diplomatic, I think they will have to try harder than that. I chose this scene in particular as it is trivial when taking the entire story into account, and therefore does not disclose any spoilers, but my point applies to the grand scheme of the book.
The attempt at making an enigmatic and alluring character that is Valentina of course, was a failure. Valentina remains intriguing for all of about thirty seconds when she’s being introduced to the reader for the first time. She is a woman with a striking appearance, a sexy name, long red hair, and she speaks in an Australian accent. Then, she strikes up conversation with Shona, and they immediately become buddies, but from there on the writing just portrays Valentina as your average Eastenders/Coronation Street woman, with certain chapters trying to portray her as complex and interesting such as ignoring one of Shona’s questions, and drawing finger paintings on the condensation-covered windows of Shona's car.
I was three quarters of the way through the book when I decided enough was enough. I googled a summary of the story to find out what the ending entailed, and I wasn’t even that surprised nor did I care.
May 27, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Blackbird Digital Books.)
This was an adult suspense story, featuring a woman, her partner, and her best friend.
Shona was an okay character, and it was clear that she had no idea what was going on behind her back. She obviously loved her daughter and her partner Mikey, and it was sad that she was kept in the dark.
The storyline in this was about Shona and Mikey moving into a new cottage, and Shona being left alone whilst Mikey was working on an oil rig for two weeks at a time. It was nice for Shona when she found a friend to hang out with (Valentina), but there did seem to be something a bit fishy about her. The pace in this was okay, if a little slow in places, and the mystery and twists were done quite well.
The ending to this was a little surprising.
6 out of 10
This was an adult suspense story, featuring a woman, her partner, and her best friend.
Shona was an okay character, and it was clear that she had no idea what was going on behind her back. She obviously loved her daughter and her partner Mikey, and it was sad that she was kept in the dark.
The storyline in this was about Shona and Mikey moving into a new cottage, and Shona being left alone whilst Mikey was working on an oil rig for two weeks at a time. It was nice for Shona when she found a friend to hang out with (Valentina), but there did seem to be something a bit fishy about her. The pace in this was okay, if a little slow in places, and the mystery and twists were done quite well.
The ending to this was a little surprising.
6 out of 10
June 25, 2016
Great read! Shona and Mikey move with their baby to rural Scotland. Shona seems to have it all, she is madly in love with her husband and child, lives in a beautiful cottage but the only problem is that for 2 weeks of each month Mikey works offshore. Shona becomes very lonely with only looking after the baby to entertain her and is struggling on her own with no other company. Enter Valentina and Shona now has a new friend, a friend that also has a child the same age as Shona's so they begin to spend time together and develop a strong friendship quite quickly. But is Valentina who Shona thinks she is? Is she really such a good friend?
I picked what was happening fairly early in the book but this did not distract me at all from the rest of the story. Double lives, secrets, lies and deception, this story has it all. Great portrayal of characters, I loved the way the author made these people seem so authentic even though they were so thoroughly flawed. Really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
I picked what was happening fairly early in the book but this did not distract me at all from the rest of the story. Double lives, secrets, lies and deception, this story has it all. Great portrayal of characters, I loved the way the author made these people seem so authentic even though they were so thoroughly flawed. Really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
June 9, 2016
Shona McGilvery is a woman living in a fairy tale. She is totally in love with her partner, Mikey, and their baby daughter. She lives in a beautiful little cottage. The only drawback is that Mikey works on an oil rig..so he’s out on the water 2 weeks of every month, leaving Shona alone with her daughter in a place where she knows no one.
She hadn’t counted on the loneliness … and is excited when she makes her first friend, Valentina. Valentina is married and has a little boy the same age as Shona’s daughter. They bond almost immediately.
But is Valentina really who she says she is?
No matter what you think you know or suspect, there are surprises around every corner.
The book was well-written, with great character interpretation. I liked the character of Shona. She represents innocence and truthfulness and complete happiness and contentment with her life. Valentina is the woman you love to hate. She seemed sneaky and sly and the author portrayed her perfectly. And the ending was perfect!
Many thanks to the author / Rosalie Love / Blackbird Digital Books who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
She hadn’t counted on the loneliness … and is excited when she makes her first friend, Valentina. Valentina is married and has a little boy the same age as Shona’s daughter. They bond almost immediately.
But is Valentina really who she says she is?
No matter what you think you know or suspect, there are surprises around every corner.
The book was well-written, with great character interpretation. I liked the character of Shona. She represents innocence and truthfulness and complete happiness and contentment with her life. Valentina is the woman you love to hate. She seemed sneaky and sly and the author portrayed her perfectly. And the ending was perfect!
Many thanks to the author / Rosalie Love / Blackbird Digital Books who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
May 2, 2016
I would like to thank the author and Blackbird Digital Books for offering me an ARC of this book to read and provide an honest, unbiased review. This book will be published on July 1st 2016.
Wow! What a debut from S E Lynes! This story had me gripped from the outset. The characters were credible and stirred changing emotions in me as the story unfolded. Questions and doubts were seeds sown in my mind, as the three main characters' relationships were explored. How do we know who we can trust? What motivates the actions of those around us? How far are some people willing to push the boundaries of what is acceptable?
The style of writing was easy to read, and narrated by two of the main characters. The pace was just right, and the plot well thought out. No small details were overlooked, and the different perspectives of the narrators tied everything together.
I would highly recommend this book - five stars from me!! - and look forward to reading more from S E Lynes!
Wow! What a debut from S E Lynes! This story had me gripped from the outset. The characters were credible and stirred changing emotions in me as the story unfolded. Questions and doubts were seeds sown in my mind, as the three main characters' relationships were explored. How do we know who we can trust? What motivates the actions of those around us? How far are some people willing to push the boundaries of what is acceptable?
The style of writing was easy to read, and narrated by two of the main characters. The pace was just right, and the plot well thought out. No small details were overlooked, and the different perspectives of the narrators tied everything together.
I would highly recommend this book - five stars from me!! - and look forward to reading more from S E Lynes!
May 22, 2016
This is the story of Shona, a mid-twenties journalist who has to move to the isolated countryside of Aberdeenshire, Scotland for her husband, Mikey's, job. When Shona and baby Isla arrive in Aberdeenshire, she realizes that with her husband's schedule she and baby will have to spend a significant amount of time alone in this idyllic cottage in rural Scotland. The thought of being alone and isolated in her new home makes Shona apprehensive. Melancholic and in dire need of adult social interaction Shona meets Valentina at a local baby nursery. Valentina is a charming Australian with a small baby of similar age to Isla. Valentina and Shona strike an immediate friendship and things seem to be finally working out for Shona in her new life until a web of deceit starts to unravel threatening this "perfect" friendship.
Valentina is the debut novel of author S.E. Lynes and let me start by saying what a strong debut this novel is! I loved how captivating this novel is from the start and it never disappoints. The characters are well developed and complex. I loved the way she told this story from different perspectives, and although part of the plot was a bit predictable, Lyne still managed to finish the book with a surprising finale. 5-stars! I'm definitely recommending it!
I'd like to thank the author and Blackbird Digital Books for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is scheduled to be published on July 1, 2016.
Valentina is the debut novel of author S.E. Lynes and let me start by saying what a strong debut this novel is! I loved how captivating this novel is from the start and it never disappoints. The characters are well developed and complex. I loved the way she told this story from different perspectives, and although part of the plot was a bit predictable, Lyne still managed to finish the book with a surprising finale. 5-stars! I'm definitely recommending it!
I'd like to thank the author and Blackbird Digital Books for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is scheduled to be published on July 1, 2016.
May 31, 2016
When working class girl Shona leaves behind a career as a journalist and the comfort and security of a close family unit it is with the intention of making a new life, together with partner Mikey and four month old daughter Isla. Mikey works in oil and Shona always knew that a career with prospects meant Aberdeen and a frighteningly remote lifestyle. After all, a journalist can work anywhere and how bad can living in a cottage straight out of fairy tale be, especially when you can make new friends, friends like Valentina? Prepare to be surprised and watch Shona's life spiral out of control all in the space of less than a year.
The isolation, remoteness and the limited access to the outside world with patchy mobile coverage have all been done before, but what makes this psychological thriller stand out from the crowd is the feisty narration courtesy of Shona McGilvrey, a twenty-eight year old clued-up Govan lass. It would be all too easy for S.E. Lynes to make Shona a self-pitying and 'wise after the event' young girl but she is definitely no shrinking violet. Shona knows that life isn't always rosy and that she will have to work hard to make this new home a dream come true for her, Mikey and Isla. Her sarcastic and self-deprecating style of jaunty narration is instantly appealing and draws the reader in, and her refusal to blame post-natal depression for the unsettling emotions is a breath of fresh air.
For Shona meeting Aussie Valentina brings the return of the cheerful and sparky girl that she formerly was. Adult company represents a release from the realities of motherhood and Shona positively relishes the novelty of having a shiny new friend and reconnecting to the outside world. The way is which the early days of an intense friendship can replicate the flirtatious exchanges of a boyfriend and girlfriend scenario is cleverly illustrated. So eager for this friendship to mean the start of a dream life, Shona papers over her early concerns and avoids the questions which plague her mind. Within a few short months Valentina has effectively invaded every crevice of the cottage, yet Shona has not been afforded so much as a brief glimpse behind the front door of Valentina's life.
As the niggling concerns that the very ground is shifting from below her prey on Shona's mind she starts over thinking and seeing the cracks in her relationship with Mikey which might have previously been brushed over. Shona questions whether all of these apparent frailties can be down to her sleep depleted and frazzled introduction to effectively being a single mother and sometimes we all need the advice of a good friend, but is that friend Valentina? When someone knows how to scratch at the insecurities which constantly run through your mind then the deceit becomes a game. When Shona realises that she has lost sight of what should be her number one priority - daughter Isla - she knows that she can't lie down and be walked over. S.E. Lynes captures perfectly the turmoil of containing a maelstrom of emotions as suspicions begin to occupy her every waking thought.
That the cottage represents some of fairy tale ideal is often alluded to, and with the references to this seemingly idyllic image your nerves become frayed as it is slowly revealed that this is definitely no fairy tale. From the meaty paw of ogre represented by the haar (sea mist), to the new bolts which Shona attaches to the doors and windows to keep the big bad wolf out and in turn to Valentina's amusement at her comparison to the Goldilocks character looking in with envying eyes on a lifestyle she quite fancies. The landscape and bitter weather of the Aberdeen coastline fit the story perfectly, the absolute blackness of the countryside with its lack of street lighting so new to a Govan girl and the notorious Aberdeen haar which can surround you in matter of seconds. The difference in social class is a very clever device. Living a lifestyle of privilege and semi-exclusivity is not synonymous with happiness in the world Shona comes from. As the cracks appear in their relationship Mikey finds it all too easy to blame Shona and accuse her of inverted snobbery and the differences in social class add an element of spice to the tensions.
This is delightfully moreish reading.. This novel deserves to be a word of mouth success and the chameleon characteristics of Valentina are set to be the subject of heated debate. The streetwise Shona always keeps readers vying for the Govan lass to hold her own. Intricately plotted and exceptionally well executed the punchy style adds a new dimension to the psychological thriller novel. This fairy tale is the stuff of nightmares..! With a great line in black humour prepare to be unsettled as the real Wicked Witch pulling all the strings behind the stage curtain of Shona's life is revealed.
Many thanks to Rosalie Love of Blackbird Books for a free advance copy of Valentina in exchange for an honest review.
The isolation, remoteness and the limited access to the outside world with patchy mobile coverage have all been done before, but what makes this psychological thriller stand out from the crowd is the feisty narration courtesy of Shona McGilvrey, a twenty-eight year old clued-up Govan lass. It would be all too easy for S.E. Lynes to make Shona a self-pitying and 'wise after the event' young girl but she is definitely no shrinking violet. Shona knows that life isn't always rosy and that she will have to work hard to make this new home a dream come true for her, Mikey and Isla. Her sarcastic and self-deprecating style of jaunty narration is instantly appealing and draws the reader in, and her refusal to blame post-natal depression for the unsettling emotions is a breath of fresh air.
For Shona meeting Aussie Valentina brings the return of the cheerful and sparky girl that she formerly was. Adult company represents a release from the realities of motherhood and Shona positively relishes the novelty of having a shiny new friend and reconnecting to the outside world. The way is which the early days of an intense friendship can replicate the flirtatious exchanges of a boyfriend and girlfriend scenario is cleverly illustrated. So eager for this friendship to mean the start of a dream life, Shona papers over her early concerns and avoids the questions which plague her mind. Within a few short months Valentina has effectively invaded every crevice of the cottage, yet Shona has not been afforded so much as a brief glimpse behind the front door of Valentina's life.
As the niggling concerns that the very ground is shifting from below her prey on Shona's mind she starts over thinking and seeing the cracks in her relationship with Mikey which might have previously been brushed over. Shona questions whether all of these apparent frailties can be down to her sleep depleted and frazzled introduction to effectively being a single mother and sometimes we all need the advice of a good friend, but is that friend Valentina? When someone knows how to scratch at the insecurities which constantly run through your mind then the deceit becomes a game. When Shona realises that she has lost sight of what should be her number one priority - daughter Isla - she knows that she can't lie down and be walked over. S.E. Lynes captures perfectly the turmoil of containing a maelstrom of emotions as suspicions begin to occupy her every waking thought.
That the cottage represents some of fairy tale ideal is often alluded to, and with the references to this seemingly idyllic image your nerves become frayed as it is slowly revealed that this is definitely no fairy tale. From the meaty paw of ogre represented by the haar (sea mist), to the new bolts which Shona attaches to the doors and windows to keep the big bad wolf out and in turn to Valentina's amusement at her comparison to the Goldilocks character looking in with envying eyes on a lifestyle she quite fancies. The landscape and bitter weather of the Aberdeen coastline fit the story perfectly, the absolute blackness of the countryside with its lack of street lighting so new to a Govan girl and the notorious Aberdeen haar which can surround you in matter of seconds. The difference in social class is a very clever device. Living a lifestyle of privilege and semi-exclusivity is not synonymous with happiness in the world Shona comes from. As the cracks appear in their relationship Mikey finds it all too easy to blame Shona and accuse her of inverted snobbery and the differences in social class add an element of spice to the tensions.
This is delightfully moreish reading.. This novel deserves to be a word of mouth success and the chameleon characteristics of Valentina are set to be the subject of heated debate. The streetwise Shona always keeps readers vying for the Govan lass to hold her own. Intricately plotted and exceptionally well executed the punchy style adds a new dimension to the psychological thriller novel. This fairy tale is the stuff of nightmares..! With a great line in black humour prepare to be unsettled as the real Wicked Witch pulling all the strings behind the stage curtain of Shona's life is revealed.
Many thanks to Rosalie Love of Blackbird Books for a free advance copy of Valentina in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2016
Shona just wants to live happily ever after. So when she gives up her career as a journalist in Glasgow to move with her partner, Mikey and their new baby to the perfect cottage in the Aberdeenshire countryside, it looks as though all her wishes are coming true. Mikey has to take a job offshore, and Shona finds herself isolated in the cottage in the woods. But still blissed out with happiness and her new baby she is determined not to let the isolation beat her. She goes in search of friendship and is easy pickings for the charismatic and dangerous Valentina. Valentina seems perfect, she too has a new baby and time on her hands. The two quickly become friends, best friends even and of course as everyone knows, best friends share everything.
This is a fast paced, intelligent, twist and turn psychological thriller in the same vein as Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. However, that is about as far as similarities go. Set in and around Aberdeen, the location is almost as much a character in this book as Valentina, Shona and Mikey. When the young couple, Shona and Mikey drive out to their new cottage in the woods, the haar - a dense, clinging fog that drops down onto the landscape like a foreshadowing of what is to come - seems to be chasing them away. Lynes weaves her magic using her knowledge of the area, it’s weather and geography with a deft understanding of place and combines this with a perception of human frailties to create a twisting tale that will both satisfy and intrigue the most demanding of reading palates.
It is a story of outsiders, not just those who feel on the outside when they are new to an area, or incomers, but also to an extent the way women are outsiders to their own lives once they have children. When Shona has Isla she is removed from her old world physically, mentally and spiritually, and her sense of isolation strips her of her guard, making her vulnerable to Valentina's manipulation. We've all known Valentina's in our lives, the glamorous friend, who starts off by making us feel flattered and special and then somehow starts to make us feel a little bit less than we are, diminished and beholden. This novel is a beautifully elegant study of psychopathic manipulation and it is with exquisite pacing S E Lynes leads us to an explosive ending.
This is a fast paced, intelligent, twist and turn psychological thriller in the same vein as Gone Girl and Girl on a Train. However, that is about as far as similarities go. Set in and around Aberdeen, the location is almost as much a character in this book as Valentina, Shona and Mikey. When the young couple, Shona and Mikey drive out to their new cottage in the woods, the haar - a dense, clinging fog that drops down onto the landscape like a foreshadowing of what is to come - seems to be chasing them away. Lynes weaves her magic using her knowledge of the area, it’s weather and geography with a deft understanding of place and combines this with a perception of human frailties to create a twisting tale that will both satisfy and intrigue the most demanding of reading palates.
It is a story of outsiders, not just those who feel on the outside when they are new to an area, or incomers, but also to an extent the way women are outsiders to their own lives once they have children. When Shona has Isla she is removed from her old world physically, mentally and spiritually, and her sense of isolation strips her of her guard, making her vulnerable to Valentina's manipulation. We've all known Valentina's in our lives, the glamorous friend, who starts off by making us feel flattered and special and then somehow starts to make us feel a little bit less than we are, diminished and beholden. This novel is a beautifully elegant study of psychopathic manipulation and it is with exquisite pacing S E Lynes leads us to an explosive ending.
May 4, 2016
Valentina by S. E. Lynes will be released on 1st July 2016. Thank you to Blackbird Digital Books for my copy of this book.
This book is about Shona and her life now that she has moved to a remote part of the countryside in Aberdeen. Her 'life partner' Mickey has a job that means he is away from home two weeks a month. I like that S. E. Lynes's writing is so atmospheric that Shona's loneliness practically screamed off the page. She builds tension right the way through the book, even when you have worked out what is going on before Shona has. I thought I would get put off by working it out before the protagonist but I wasn't because I got the different viewpoints from those involved. Instead of just revealing the twist; S. E. Lynes takes it further and we get a point of view which we wouldn't normally get.
The thing that really made this book for me was the narrative style. It was like I was in a room with Shona and she was telling me her story. I loved the interruptions from Shona, the hindsight perspectives that we wouldn't normally get. It made the whole book more realistic, relatable and enjoyable. The conversational tone made you become more invested in the characters and the emotions they were feeling. Whereas sometimes you are just interested in the plot and the characters are just tools of this.
The character development in this book is brilliant. Because of the way the story is told, we see Shona reflectively seeing how she had gone from being a strong, feisty woman to an exhausted, manipulated push-over. It was sad to see her changing and by the end of the book, she didn't go back to how she was. This isn't one of those stories, and she becomes the product of betrayal and manipulation. It made for fascinating reading, and I couldn't put this book down.
This book is about Shona and her life now that she has moved to a remote part of the countryside in Aberdeen. Her 'life partner' Mickey has a job that means he is away from home two weeks a month. I like that S. E. Lynes's writing is so atmospheric that Shona's loneliness practically screamed off the page. She builds tension right the way through the book, even when you have worked out what is going on before Shona has. I thought I would get put off by working it out before the protagonist but I wasn't because I got the different viewpoints from those involved. Instead of just revealing the twist; S. E. Lynes takes it further and we get a point of view which we wouldn't normally get.
The thing that really made this book for me was the narrative style. It was like I was in a room with Shona and she was telling me her story. I loved the interruptions from Shona, the hindsight perspectives that we wouldn't normally get. It made the whole book more realistic, relatable and enjoyable. The conversational tone made you become more invested in the characters and the emotions they were feeling. Whereas sometimes you are just interested in the plot and the characters are just tools of this.
The character development in this book is brilliant. Because of the way the story is told, we see Shona reflectively seeing how she had gone from being a strong, feisty woman to an exhausted, manipulated push-over. It was sad to see her changing and by the end of the book, she didn't go back to how she was. This isn't one of those stories, and she becomes the product of betrayal and manipulation. It made for fascinating reading, and I couldn't put this book down.
June 27, 2016
It is really hard to believe that Valentina is the authors debut novel.
This is such a cleverly woven story that literally swept me off my feet.
This is one of those stories that to start with I thought I totally knew where it was going, so I sat back and settled into it thinking I would enjoy it for what it was.
Well I have to say I was well and truly gob smacked when I realised I was totally wrong. My only problem was, even though I loved that it was so different to how I thought it was going to go, for the first time ever, I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on as I started to get a really uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. It started to become a bit like watching a horror film, where you know something bad is going to happen but you just don’t know exactly what or when, so you just have to sit back and wait for it to happen.
I have to take my hat off to the author for making me feel that way as that was how wrapped up I was with the whole storyline and characters and there was more than one occasion I felt chilled to the bone.
It is really hard to go into the actual story itself in any great detail as I think it will give to much away and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else so I’m not going to say anything other than this is a quietly brilliant novel and a must read for any fans of a clever psychological thriller.
Many thanks to Rosalie at Blackbird Digital Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a cleverly woven story that literally swept me off my feet.
This is one of those stories that to start with I thought I totally knew where it was going, so I sat back and settled into it thinking I would enjoy it for what it was.
Well I have to say I was well and truly gob smacked when I realised I was totally wrong. My only problem was, even though I loved that it was so different to how I thought it was going to go, for the first time ever, I didn’t know if I wanted to carry on as I started to get a really uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. It started to become a bit like watching a horror film, where you know something bad is going to happen but you just don’t know exactly what or when, so you just have to sit back and wait for it to happen.
I have to take my hat off to the author for making me feel that way as that was how wrapped up I was with the whole storyline and characters and there was more than one occasion I felt chilled to the bone.
It is really hard to go into the actual story itself in any great detail as I think it will give to much away and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else so I’m not going to say anything other than this is a quietly brilliant novel and a must read for any fans of a clever psychological thriller.
Many thanks to Rosalie at Blackbird Digital Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2016
"... you never know anyone as well as you think, do you?"
When Shona McGilvery, her partner Mikey and their baby girl Isla settle in their new home - a fairy tale cottage in the woods, they're excited, happy and in love. The only thing marring this happiness is Mikey's job. Mikey works offshore on an oil rig, which means he will have to be away on two-whole-week shifts every four, leaving Shona alone... in the cottage... in the woods.
Away from humanity, Shona feels lonely and bored and starts to venture out to the nearest town. There she meets a woman named Valentina. The two mothers soon click and a great friendship is born. Valentina is bubbly, chatty, friendly and kind and she soon fills Shona's days when Mikey is offshore on work. Valentina has simply added the missing piece to the perfect fairy tale. But...
"Something was not right, more than not right. Something was wrong. I felt it in my guts."
Okay this is an atmospheric story saturated with lies, sex and secrets that perhaps may sound a bit far-fetched to some readers, but totally doable and possible if you think about it. It revolves around 3 characters: Shona, her partner Mikey and her best friend Valentina.
All three characters are well-portrayed and believable. The setting vividly described. I thought Shona was maybe a bit too naive. My heart went out to her. I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and give her an almighty shake to wake her up and make her see sense.
This book is divided into three parts. As I started it I knew that the 'fairy tale' wouldn't last long. I could feel that something very wrong was brewing underneath and that the Big Bad Wolf would soon make an appearance. I had a strong feeling of where the story was heading and I was curious to see if I'd find some mind-blowing twist that proves me wrong. However that didn't take place and I had pretty much guessed what was happening and what happened by the end of part 1. On the other hand part 2 and 3 were complete mysteries to me. I liked the way the author has tied all the story's loose ends in these parts. The ending - satisfying.
'Valentina' is a book that got me angrier by the minute, page after page. Don't get me wrong, I got angry not with THE book or the way it's written (the prose is excellent, sexy). I got really angry with the story, with what was happening. How could someone be so mean?? If this was the author's intention, she surely succeeded in bringing out the desired emotion in me!!
Despite being a tad predictable, for a debut novel, this book is really good. It is well-written, suspenseful and gripping and I really enjoyed it.
With thanks to Rosalie Love of BlackBird Digital books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
When Shona McGilvery, her partner Mikey and their baby girl Isla settle in their new home - a fairy tale cottage in the woods, they're excited, happy and in love. The only thing marring this happiness is Mikey's job. Mikey works offshore on an oil rig, which means he will have to be away on two-whole-week shifts every four, leaving Shona alone... in the cottage... in the woods.
Away from humanity, Shona feels lonely and bored and starts to venture out to the nearest town. There she meets a woman named Valentina. The two mothers soon click and a great friendship is born. Valentina is bubbly, chatty, friendly and kind and she soon fills Shona's days when Mikey is offshore on work. Valentina has simply added the missing piece to the perfect fairy tale. But...
"Something was not right, more than not right. Something was wrong. I felt it in my guts."
Okay this is an atmospheric story saturated with lies, sex and secrets that perhaps may sound a bit far-fetched to some readers, but totally doable and possible if you think about it. It revolves around 3 characters: Shona, her partner Mikey and her best friend Valentina.
All three characters are well-portrayed and believable. The setting vividly described. I thought Shona was maybe a bit too naive. My heart went out to her. I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and give her an almighty shake to wake her up and make her see sense.
This book is divided into three parts. As I started it I knew that the 'fairy tale' wouldn't last long. I could feel that something very wrong was brewing underneath and that the Big Bad Wolf would soon make an appearance. I had a strong feeling of where the story was heading and I was curious to see if I'd find some mind-blowing twist that proves me wrong. However that didn't take place and I had pretty much guessed what was happening and what happened by the end of part 1. On the other hand part 2 and 3 were complete mysteries to me. I liked the way the author has tied all the story's loose ends in these parts. The ending - satisfying.
'Valentina' is a book that got me angrier by the minute, page after page. Don't get me wrong, I got angry not with THE book or the way it's written (the prose is excellent, sexy). I got really angry with the story, with what was happening. How could someone be so mean?? If this was the author's intention, she surely succeeded in bringing out the desired emotion in me!!
Despite being a tad predictable, for a debut novel, this book is really good. It is well-written, suspenseful and gripping and I really enjoyed it.
With thanks to Rosalie Love of BlackBird Digital books for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
May 8, 2016
Shona and Mikey and their baby move to an idyllic cottage in Aberdeenshire so that Mikey can come home and its closer to the shore. Shona is oh so lonely and not so much the confident girl she was back home. She found a friend who was down to earth and though was just like her.
Valentina what a wierdo!
OK this book was tense right the way through, quite early on you get a 'feeling' that there is something isn't quite right .When I say tense its a long build up, it starts with "why would she do that" kind of thing.I worked out what was going on but it didn't stop me reading.
Reading on it becomes apparent that Valentina is not who or what she claims to be. Shona gets sucked in and and she too is turned into someone she usually isn't. Psychologically disturbing when you gather all the evidence and dirty tricks that happen. Definitely gives you chills up your spine !
A really good read with sturdy characters and a very cool labyrinth of twists to put you off the scent of the truth. I think Mikey was my favourite character , such as he wasn't right, he was very clever.
The book is 'interrupted' with paragraphs , that put me off a little and made me feel I was reading a different book but I got used to it.
Its a book I really HAD to read , keep going over for my own knowledge making sure I'd read right, making me read properly :-)
Thank you to the Author SE.Lynes and the publisher Blackbird Books for a preview copy in return for an honest review.
Valentia is released on 1st July 2016
Valentina what a wierdo!
OK this book was tense right the way through, quite early on you get a 'feeling' that there is something isn't quite right .When I say tense its a long build up, it starts with "why would she do that" kind of thing.I worked out what was going on but it didn't stop me reading.
Reading on it becomes apparent that Valentina is not who or what she claims to be. Shona gets sucked in and and she too is turned into someone she usually isn't. Psychologically disturbing when you gather all the evidence and dirty tricks that happen. Definitely gives you chills up your spine !
A really good read with sturdy characters and a very cool labyrinth of twists to put you off the scent of the truth. I think Mikey was my favourite character , such as he wasn't right, he was very clever.
The book is 'interrupted' with paragraphs , that put me off a little and made me feel I was reading a different book but I got used to it.
Its a book I really HAD to read , keep going over for my own knowledge making sure I'd read right, making me read properly :-)
Thank you to the Author SE.Lynes and the publisher Blackbird Books for a preview copy in return for an honest review.
Valentia is released on 1st July 2016
July 1, 2016
Valentina follows Shona, Mikey and baby Isla as they move to the Aberdeenshire countryside to be closer to Mikey’s work on the offshore oil rigs. Crippled with loneliness while Mikey is away, Shona tries to make friends in the area.
Enter Valentina.
Enigmatic, mysterious and wild, she is a force to be reckoned with. She and Shona become fast friends, and then the story really begins.
I don’t want to go into the plot because I don’t want to give anything away. Sufficed to say, Valentina is a thoroughly unsettling read. It is a slow burner, but once the fuse is lit you cannot look away.
I’ve read so many psychological thrillers lately, and oftentimes they blur into one another as they are so similar. Valentina as different though. It was chilling and menacing in equal measure.
In the interest of honesty, I figured it out very early on. However, this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book one bit. As the reader, you are compelled to find out alongside the characters exactly what is going on. I was no different. I found myself racing to the end to see how it would all play out.
An excellent debut novel, I would highly recommend it.
Enter Valentina.
Enigmatic, mysterious and wild, she is a force to be reckoned with. She and Shona become fast friends, and then the story really begins.
I don’t want to go into the plot because I don’t want to give anything away. Sufficed to say, Valentina is a thoroughly unsettling read. It is a slow burner, but once the fuse is lit you cannot look away.
I’ve read so many psychological thrillers lately, and oftentimes they blur into one another as they are so similar. Valentina as different though. It was chilling and menacing in equal measure.
In the interest of honesty, I figured it out very early on. However, this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book one bit. As the reader, you are compelled to find out alongside the characters exactly what is going on. I was no different. I found myself racing to the end to see how it would all play out.
An excellent debut novel, I would highly recommend it.
April 25, 2017
This book has been on my kindle for several months and despite it being highly recommended on my book club I kept avoiding it and left it at the bottom of my ever growing TBR pile. Silly me!
I am taking part in a 20 book reading challenge for 2017 and this book falls under the category of a book with a girls name in the title so I selected Valentina. Clever me!
Firstly I can't believe that this a debut novel. Full of tension and that awful feeling of dread and paranoia from page 1. With highly believable characters and a gripping storyline together with the atmospheric setting Valentina is a real sphincter clencher which kept me turning the pages in a state of eager anticipation and unease. I would recommend this book with a bottle of Gaviscon close by.
I am taking part in a 20 book reading challenge for 2017 and this book falls under the category of a book with a girls name in the title so I selected Valentina. Clever me!
Firstly I can't believe that this a debut novel. Full of tension and that awful feeling of dread and paranoia from page 1. With highly believable characters and a gripping storyline together with the atmospheric setting Valentina is a real sphincter clencher which kept me turning the pages in a state of eager anticipation and unease. I would recommend this book with a bottle of Gaviscon close by.
November 29, 2016
Valentina starts off slow and then the tension builds as Lynes tells the story of how Shona’s fairytale life begins to unravel.
I really like psychological thrillers as I like to be drawn into the reality of the characters and their perceptions. Lynes has done a superb job with providing us with the drama, horror, and the mystery of the motives and intentions of the characters involved.
Lynes has done that for me in Valentina as she has included all the elements of what I expect in a good psychological thriller.
I really like psychological thrillers as I like to be drawn into the reality of the characters and their perceptions. Lynes has done a superb job with providing us with the drama, horror, and the mystery of the motives and intentions of the characters involved.
Lynes has done that for me in Valentina as she has included all the elements of what I expect in a good psychological thriller.
November 27, 2017
4.5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised, not being such a big fan of psychological thrillers. The story was very well told and also very plausible. I liked the way it was built up.
I was pleasantly surprised, not being such a big fan of psychological thrillers. The story was very well told and also very plausible. I liked the way it was built up.
July 19, 2017
"Wendy, one girl is more use than twenty boys." - Peter Pan
As a kid my parents always taught me to write thank you letters to show my appreciation for gifts received on Christmas, birthdays, etc. Most of the time I begrudgingly wrote a note that was mildly put, half a**ed. However, my thank you to Blackbird Digital Books for allowing me the chance to read this is written with my most sincere appreciation.
First and foremost, how on earth is this a debut novel? As a lover of psychological thrillers, I was hesitant to read a debut novel as I haven't been amazed by that many. This book though.....wow.... I really felt like I was in the book living out everything.
Shona and her partner Mikey move in with their infant daughter to a remote cottage in Scotland. Once there, Shona starts to come to the realization that she is lonely while her husband works offshore. She soon befriends Valentina, a hippy mom that oozes confidence.
I honestly LOVED that conversations between Shona and Mikey and especially Shona and Valentina. They were so saturated with dark humor, realistic events,etc. I felt like I was just reading a conversation I have had...right down my fascination with Peter Pan. From Shawna to Shona... we can be friends.
It did take me a bit of getting used to the Scottish and Australian dialectic to the point where I was reading parts aloud. However, I think it added to the realness of the characters.
I can not for the life of me think of how to review this book without giving anything away! You will suspect, you will ache, you will anger. While I did guess the ending somewhat, the writing and characters (the most deranged characters I might add since Nick and Amy Dunne)kept me going.
This is definetly one of my top reads so far this year and I HIGHLY recommend! I can not WAIT for more from S.E. Lynes!
As a kid my parents always taught me to write thank you letters to show my appreciation for gifts received on Christmas, birthdays, etc. Most of the time I begrudgingly wrote a note that was mildly put, half a**ed. However, my thank you to Blackbird Digital Books for allowing me the chance to read this is written with my most sincere appreciation.
First and foremost, how on earth is this a debut novel? As a lover of psychological thrillers, I was hesitant to read a debut novel as I haven't been amazed by that many. This book though.....wow.... I really felt like I was in the book living out everything.
Shona and her partner Mikey move in with their infant daughter to a remote cottage in Scotland. Once there, Shona starts to come to the realization that she is lonely while her husband works offshore. She soon befriends Valentina, a hippy mom that oozes confidence.
I honestly LOVED that conversations between Shona and Mikey and especially Shona and Valentina. They were so saturated with dark humor, realistic events,etc. I felt like I was just reading a conversation I have had...right down my fascination with Peter Pan. From Shawna to Shona... we can be friends.
It did take me a bit of getting used to the Scottish and Australian dialectic to the point where I was reading parts aloud. However, I think it added to the realness of the characters.
I can not for the life of me think of how to review this book without giving anything away! You will suspect, you will ache, you will anger. While I did guess the ending somewhat, the writing and characters (the most deranged characters I might add since Nick and Amy Dunne)kept me going.
This is definetly one of my top reads so far this year and I HIGHLY recommend! I can not WAIT for more from S.E. Lynes!
May 25, 2017
I received an eARC from Blackbird Books in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a fan of people.
It's not that I don't understand them, or that I can't empathize or sympathize, I just see the things that they do and say and think and I have come to the conclusion that people are bad people.
I'm an optimistic girl, I know.
So when I began reading Valentina I was intrigued; I knew this was a psychological thriller, I knew these people would be bad people within the context of the story. But I didn't realise how personally hurt I would feel.
Shona McGilvery is a very unobservant protagonist. I was continually yelling at her throughout the book to open her eyes, to not be so deceived. We are supposed to know these things and she does not, but with everything just there in front of her, it was hard for me not to want give her a good shake and tell her to wake the fuck up. But, while I wanted to do that, I felt everything that she felt.
And so when things....without spoiling anything, go awry, I became very angry for her. For the last half of the book I was cheering her on; I wanted her to do everything and anything horrible. I needed aggression, and while I feel Shona let them off easy, I know that many readers would have found Shona an unrelatable and unlikeable character if she went further.
I think it's very powerful when a story can make you not just sympathize with a character but empathize; this shit was happening to me, and I had to constantly remind myself that I'm sat in my house in South West England reading a book, I'm not actually in remote Scotland having my life taken away from me by actual psychopaths (I'm still angry). I needed to write this review right now (half past midnight) just so I could get the passion across.
I really enjoyed this story, despite my seething rage, and it's such a strong debut!
I am not a fan of people.
It's not that I don't understand them, or that I can't empathize or sympathize, I just see the things that they do and say and think and I have come to the conclusion that people are bad people.
I'm an optimistic girl, I know.
So when I began reading Valentina I was intrigued; I knew this was a psychological thriller, I knew these people would be bad people within the context of the story. But I didn't realise how personally hurt I would feel.
Shona McGilvery is a very unobservant protagonist. I was continually yelling at her throughout the book to open her eyes, to not be so deceived. We are supposed to know these things and she does not, but with everything just there in front of her, it was hard for me not to want give her a good shake and tell her to wake the fuck up. But, while I wanted to do that, I felt everything that she felt.
And so when things....without spoiling anything, go awry, I became very angry for her. For the last half of the book I was cheering her on; I wanted her to do everything and anything horrible. I needed aggression, and while I feel Shona let them off easy, I know that many readers would have found Shona an unrelatable and unlikeable character if she went further.
I think it's very powerful when a story can make you not just sympathize with a character but empathize; this shit was happening to me, and I had to constantly remind myself that I'm sat in my house in South West England reading a book, I'm not actually in remote Scotland having my life taken away from me by actual psychopaths (I'm still angry). I needed to write this review right now (half past midnight) just so I could get the passion across.
I really enjoyed this story, despite my seething rage, and it's such a strong debut!
August 25, 2016
I started this book when I was on a train journey earlier in the summer months but I quickly realised that I didn't want to dip into it over a few days, catching reading time whenever I could. I had only got to 6% but I had got..... "the feeling"! Yes THAT feeling-the tingly excitement of discovering a book that you want to hide away with and read in one or two long sittings. So, it came on my summer holiday with me and what a fabulous choice I made as it turned out to be one of my top holiday reads-a 5* book that kept me glued to my sunlounger.
I was drawn to the book initially due to rave reviews from fellow bloggers and after investigating further I realised that lots of the locations were very familiar to me. I love books that are set in places that mean something to me so the setting of Aberdeenshire and the connection to the oil industry engaged me from the start. Although from Norfolk, I moved to just outside Aberdeen due to my mum's job so the mention of places such as Banchory, the Ardoe House Hotel and Kippie Lodge really brought back some very emotional memories of my time there (we were members of Kippie Lodge and always felt like we were in an episode of Dallas whenever we went!!). There were lots of incomers to the area at the height of the oil industry and as one of them I did struggle to settle and fit in. So that was the reason I felt so fiercely protective of Shona as I really felt her every emotion when she had to up sticks and leave behind a home and family she loved.
Susie Lynes weaves such a twisty plot into her storytelling that once I started this (the second time!) I couldn't put it down and at one point even gasped out loud! But she also takes us beyond what happens here and I'm sure I'm not the only one who came away unable to move on from it as the issues raised stayed on my mind for quite some time afterwards. There is certainly plenty of ponder upon and I think book clubs up and down the country would have a field day with this one!
The isolation of new mothers means that sometimes friendships are formed by women where the only thing they have in common is the fact that they gave birth at the same time! There is so much to discuss here after dissecting the meeting between Shona and Valentina that very quickly becomes an intensely close relationship. I felt such an empathy for Shona the whole way through (apart from one little thing and I'm sure you'll know what that is after you have read it!) as she felt like a kindred spirit and I connected with her right from the start. I even envied her her fabulous new friendship with Valentina-to have someone so unconventional and free spirited come into her life just when she needed her the most seemed almost too good to be true!
This was a tightly knitted, gripping storyline where I was aware from very early on that something wasn't quite right. But what? Was I correct in my assumptions? Well, in some cases I was but not all as there are a few shockers along the way here. This is such a self assured debut written with a such a perfect understanding of what makes women connect with others and how parenthood makes us perceive the world around us and the people in it very differently. Honestly, when I finished it I just wanted to go back and read the whole thing again! Such wonderfully atmospheric storytelling has given me a real hunger for another book from Susie and she has joined the list of writers who truly can't write quickly enough for me! Just BRILLIANT!
I was drawn to the book initially due to rave reviews from fellow bloggers and after investigating further I realised that lots of the locations were very familiar to me. I love books that are set in places that mean something to me so the setting of Aberdeenshire and the connection to the oil industry engaged me from the start. Although from Norfolk, I moved to just outside Aberdeen due to my mum's job so the mention of places such as Banchory, the Ardoe House Hotel and Kippie Lodge really brought back some very emotional memories of my time there (we were members of Kippie Lodge and always felt like we were in an episode of Dallas whenever we went!!). There were lots of incomers to the area at the height of the oil industry and as one of them I did struggle to settle and fit in. So that was the reason I felt so fiercely protective of Shona as I really felt her every emotion when she had to up sticks and leave behind a home and family she loved.
Susie Lynes weaves such a twisty plot into her storytelling that once I started this (the second time!) I couldn't put it down and at one point even gasped out loud! But she also takes us beyond what happens here and I'm sure I'm not the only one who came away unable to move on from it as the issues raised stayed on my mind for quite some time afterwards. There is certainly plenty of ponder upon and I think book clubs up and down the country would have a field day with this one!
The isolation of new mothers means that sometimes friendships are formed by women where the only thing they have in common is the fact that they gave birth at the same time! There is so much to discuss here after dissecting the meeting between Shona and Valentina that very quickly becomes an intensely close relationship. I felt such an empathy for Shona the whole way through (apart from one little thing and I'm sure you'll know what that is after you have read it!) as she felt like a kindred spirit and I connected with her right from the start. I even envied her her fabulous new friendship with Valentina-to have someone so unconventional and free spirited come into her life just when she needed her the most seemed almost too good to be true!
This was a tightly knitted, gripping storyline where I was aware from very early on that something wasn't quite right. But what? Was I correct in my assumptions? Well, in some cases I was but not all as there are a few shockers along the way here. This is such a self assured debut written with a such a perfect understanding of what makes women connect with others and how parenthood makes us perceive the world around us and the people in it very differently. Honestly, when I finished it I just wanted to go back and read the whole thing again! Such wonderfully atmospheric storytelling has given me a real hunger for another book from Susie and she has joined the list of writers who truly can't write quickly enough for me! Just BRILLIANT!
June 9, 2016
I received a copy of this via the publishers, BlackBird Books, in return for a fair and honest review. Thankyou so much!
First word that sprung to my mind after finishing this was, WOW!! One of those books that completely sucks you in, taking over your every thought and leaves you feeling chilled and wondering if you could ever trust anyone again!
Shona and Mikey move to Aberdeenshire, to be closer to his work on the oil rigs. They move to an isolated cottage with their daughter, Isla, and it seems that all is well in their loved up world, but things start to change for Shona when he says his work rota means he needs to be away from them every 2 weeks out of 4. The isolation gets to Shona almost immediately and she seems to go out of her way to try and find a friend. Enter Valentina! Super friendly yoga teacher, with baby Zac in tow, she seems perfect for Shona - but you always sense that nobody could be that perfect and there seems to be a reckless edge to her behaviour and this adds to the tension as you wonder what she's hiding.
Mikey seems to be a very controlling character too, and Shona always seems willing to forgive his often weird behaviour which he always puts down to work issues. And they do make such a sweet couple that you wonder if it just the change of circumstance getting to Shona and the time she spends alone adding to her paranoia.
But as more is revealed in a cleverly written plot, it becomes more and more difficult to decide who to trust and who to feel sympathy for!
A truly gripping read and I'll definitely be looking out for more from debut author S.E. Lynes in the future! What a way to start your writing career!!
First word that sprung to my mind after finishing this was, WOW!! One of those books that completely sucks you in, taking over your every thought and leaves you feeling chilled and wondering if you could ever trust anyone again!
Shona and Mikey move to Aberdeenshire, to be closer to his work on the oil rigs. They move to an isolated cottage with their daughter, Isla, and it seems that all is well in their loved up world, but things start to change for Shona when he says his work rota means he needs to be away from them every 2 weeks out of 4. The isolation gets to Shona almost immediately and she seems to go out of her way to try and find a friend. Enter Valentina! Super friendly yoga teacher, with baby Zac in tow, she seems perfect for Shona - but you always sense that nobody could be that perfect and there seems to be a reckless edge to her behaviour and this adds to the tension as you wonder what she's hiding.
Mikey seems to be a very controlling character too, and Shona always seems willing to forgive his often weird behaviour which he always puts down to work issues. And they do make such a sweet couple that you wonder if it just the change of circumstance getting to Shona and the time she spends alone adding to her paranoia.
But as more is revealed in a cleverly written plot, it becomes more and more difficult to decide who to trust and who to feel sympathy for!
A truly gripping read and I'll definitely be looking out for more from debut author S.E. Lynes in the future! What a way to start your writing career!!
July 27, 2021
Another author I only discovered this year and ever since have tried to catch up on her other books. I enjoy the way she writes, creating excellent characters, carefully crafted plots and teasing twists.
Shona moves with her partner Mikey and their baby to an idyllic cottage in rural Scotland and believes that they are going to live happy ever after. Mikey works long hours away from home and it is not long before Shona feels isolated and lonely. All that changes when she forms a new friendship with Valentina, who is like a firework ready to ignite. Valentina is lively, exciting and there is never a dull moment when she is around, which gives Shona a new lease of life.
Although everything in Shona’s life seems so much better with Valentina in her life, things are about to change again.
Very good characters and plenty of suspense making this an enjoyable read. The quality of the writing leave no traces that this is a debut novel.
Shona moves with her partner Mikey and their baby to an idyllic cottage in rural Scotland and believes that they are going to live happy ever after. Mikey works long hours away from home and it is not long before Shona feels isolated and lonely. All that changes when she forms a new friendship with Valentina, who is like a firework ready to ignite. Valentina is lively, exciting and there is never a dull moment when she is around, which gives Shona a new lease of life.
Although everything in Shona’s life seems so much better with Valentina in her life, things are about to change again.
Very good characters and plenty of suspense making this an enjoyable read. The quality of the writing leave no traces that this is a debut novel.
June 10, 2016
Disturbingly believable, intriguing, and spine-chillingly evil!
This is a psychological thriller that illustrates the mental and emotional anguish caused by secrets, lies, deception, selfishness, and manipulation.
The story is told from two perspectives. Shona, a new mother, struggling with loneliness and isolation. And Valentina, a confident, outgoing mother who befriends her.
The prose is clear, precise, and remarkably descriptive. The characters are multifaceted, flawed and absorbing. And the plot is dark, riveting, and suspenseful.
This is a really well written, tension-filled, debut novel with an ending that takes the definition of karma to a whole other level.
Thank you to Blackbird Books, and S.E. Lynes, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
This is a psychological thriller that illustrates the mental and emotional anguish caused by secrets, lies, deception, selfishness, and manipulation.
The story is told from two perspectives. Shona, a new mother, struggling with loneliness and isolation. And Valentina, a confident, outgoing mother who befriends her.
The prose is clear, precise, and remarkably descriptive. The characters are multifaceted, flawed and absorbing. And the plot is dark, riveting, and suspenseful.
This is a really well written, tension-filled, debut novel with an ending that takes the definition of karma to a whole other level.
Thank you to Blackbird Books, and S.E. Lynes, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
June 23, 2016
WOW!
I finished Valentina late last night. I loved it! I can't believe this is a debut novel.
This is going to be a tricky book to review as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but Shona seemingly has it all. She has a man she loves and who loves her, they have a beautiful baby girl together and their dream cottage in the Aberdeenshire countryside. Yes Shona misses her job and yes she misses Mikey, when he's away for two weeks out of four for his off-shore work, and she feels a bit lonely, but it's bound to be difficult for anyone moving to the middle of nowhere, away from your family and friends. Things start to look up when she meets Valentina. They click immediately and Shona is glad of her company. That is until little things start to niggle her. She's just being paranoid though, surely.
I did guess part of the twist in this story quite early on, but I would never have guessed in a million years where the story would actually lead! Just brilliant!
I had a feeling from the very first page that I was going to love this book and I wasn't wrong. I love the way the characters address the reader directly. This is their story and they each want to tell their side. I thought this was a very clever style of writing and it flows really well.
I liked Shona, but I can't say I particularly warmed to Mikey or Valentina. Perhaps I could tell early on that there was something not quite right about them both.
Needless to say, I was gripped from the first page. Early reviews were very positive (although I didn't read them in full to avoid possible spoilers) so I already had an inkling it was going to be something special and it has certainly proved to be. I will be more than happy to recommend Valentina to anyone and probably will do for a long time to come. I just know this is one of those books that will stay with me. I can't wait for S. E. Lynes next book!
Many thanks to Rosalie at Blackbird Digital Books for my Kindle review copy of Valentina and for inviting me to be a part of the upcoming Blog Tour for this fabulous book.
Blog post - https://chataboutbooks.wordpress.com/...
I finished Valentina late last night. I loved it! I can't believe this is a debut novel.
This is going to be a tricky book to review as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, but Shona seemingly has it all. She has a man she loves and who loves her, they have a beautiful baby girl together and their dream cottage in the Aberdeenshire countryside. Yes Shona misses her job and yes she misses Mikey, when he's away for two weeks out of four for his off-shore work, and she feels a bit lonely, but it's bound to be difficult for anyone moving to the middle of nowhere, away from your family and friends. Things start to look up when she meets Valentina. They click immediately and Shona is glad of her company. That is until little things start to niggle her. She's just being paranoid though, surely.
I did guess part of the twist in this story quite early on, but I would never have guessed in a million years where the story would actually lead! Just brilliant!
I had a feeling from the very first page that I was going to love this book and I wasn't wrong. I love the way the characters address the reader directly. This is their story and they each want to tell their side. I thought this was a very clever style of writing and it flows really well.
I liked Shona, but I can't say I particularly warmed to Mikey or Valentina. Perhaps I could tell early on that there was something not quite right about them both.
Needless to say, I was gripped from the first page. Early reviews were very positive (although I didn't read them in full to avoid possible spoilers) so I already had an inkling it was going to be something special and it has certainly proved to be. I will be more than happy to recommend Valentina to anyone and probably will do for a long time to come. I just know this is one of those books that will stay with me. I can't wait for S. E. Lynes next book!
Many thanks to Rosalie at Blackbird Digital Books for my Kindle review copy of Valentina and for inviting me to be a part of the upcoming Blog Tour for this fabulous book.
Blog post - https://chataboutbooks.wordpress.com/...
May 23, 2016
How can you tell what is going on in other people’s relationships? What appears from the outside to be a perfectly suited couple can conceal all manner of power plays; bullying, passive aggression and coercion just a few. And even from within, is it always possible to be sure of our partner’s whereabouts and activities? Women whose partners work away or travel a lot for work; what really goes on? And do we choose not to ask the questions? Preferring instead the state of ignorant bliss?
S E Lynes’s debut novel cleverly depicts the trusting haze of post-baby, sleep-deprived numbness suffered by main protagonist Shona and the series of events which seem to roll forward like an avalanche in slow motion guided by the charismatic Valentina.
Set against the backdrop of rural Aberdeenshire, the isolation and powerlessness Shona feels is magnified by her post-baby state, the speed of progression of her relationship with the handsome Mikey and the demands of her new friend which slowly stews into paranoia. Lynes accurately captures the sense of how it is to move there with a small baby and feel a million miles from family.
Use of the first person in relating both Shona and Valentina’s side of the story draws the reader in like the cosy confidence women do so well; yet both voices are distinct and different enough to leave the reader understanding the motives behind each woman’s actions. The tension builds throughout the book via a series of delicious twists and turns to an exciting climax which, like the best lover, leaves a feeling of panting satisfaction.
Valentina will surely become a favourite with women’s book groups, particularly those in the Aberdeen area and within the oil industry worldwide (wives, be very afraid). It is quite possible that Lynes has invented a new genre, that of Hen Noir (Scottish Chick Noir, see, hen?). Perhaps it is the men who should be afraid.
S E Lynes’s debut novel cleverly depicts the trusting haze of post-baby, sleep-deprived numbness suffered by main protagonist Shona and the series of events which seem to roll forward like an avalanche in slow motion guided by the charismatic Valentina.
Set against the backdrop of rural Aberdeenshire, the isolation and powerlessness Shona feels is magnified by her post-baby state, the speed of progression of her relationship with the handsome Mikey and the demands of her new friend which slowly stews into paranoia. Lynes accurately captures the sense of how it is to move there with a small baby and feel a million miles from family.
Use of the first person in relating both Shona and Valentina’s side of the story draws the reader in like the cosy confidence women do so well; yet both voices are distinct and different enough to leave the reader understanding the motives behind each woman’s actions. The tension builds throughout the book via a series of delicious twists and turns to an exciting climax which, like the best lover, leaves a feeling of panting satisfaction.
Valentina will surely become a favourite with women’s book groups, particularly those in the Aberdeen area and within the oil industry worldwide (wives, be very afraid). It is quite possible that Lynes has invented a new genre, that of Hen Noir (Scottish Chick Noir, see, hen?). Perhaps it is the men who should be afraid.
May 18, 2016
What a first novel!
I love a good thriller, I like to be teased and tormented, feel a bit anxious, not want to get on with everyday life, and in all these ways this novel is successful, in fact it is still running through my head a few days after finishing it.
What if?
How did...?
Why?
The book is really well written, the characters are flawed and believable. Shona and Valentina speak naturally, and so, even if the lonely Shona doesn’t appreciate it, she actually makes an extra friend in the reader. I loved the witty, chatty asides casually thrown in., and the way perspectives change seamlessly.
The descriptions are evocative, and a sense of evil unsettles you. A cottage in the woods, complete with witch and shades of Snow White mixed in with Babes in the Wood, is this a fairy story or something more sinister- can there be an happy ending?
As reader, you are privy to more information than Shona & so guess more quickly what’s happening, but then there is a twist. And another. And then a final twist..
I really hope Ms Lynes has another book up her sleeve, as I will certainly be looking out for it!
Thank you Blackbird Digital Books for giving me this advance copy for review
www.boozybookworm.com
I love a good thriller, I like to be teased and tormented, feel a bit anxious, not want to get on with everyday life, and in all these ways this novel is successful, in fact it is still running through my head a few days after finishing it.
What if?
How did...?
Why?
The book is really well written, the characters are flawed and believable. Shona and Valentina speak naturally, and so, even if the lonely Shona doesn’t appreciate it, she actually makes an extra friend in the reader. I loved the witty, chatty asides casually thrown in., and the way perspectives change seamlessly.
The descriptions are evocative, and a sense of evil unsettles you. A cottage in the woods, complete with witch and shades of Snow White mixed in with Babes in the Wood, is this a fairy story or something more sinister- can there be an happy ending?
As reader, you are privy to more information than Shona & so guess more quickly what’s happening, but then there is a twist. And another. And then a final twist..
I really hope Ms Lynes has another book up her sleeve, as I will certainly be looking out for it!
Thank you Blackbird Digital Books for giving me this advance copy for review
www.boozybookworm.com
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews