Review: Dare To Remember - Susanna Beard

Thursday, March 16, 2017


Author: Susanna Beard
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Price: £8.99
Publication Date: 01/02/2017


Lisa flees to the countryside following a brutal attack in which she was badly hurt and her flatmate was killed. She is soon haunted by vivid flashbacks and questions. In isolation from her friends and family, Lisa tries to piece together the memories only to realise that there's a truth she can't escape from, one that may have been with her all along.

Hey there! Today I thought I'd share with you my opinion of Susanna Beard's debut novel 'Dare To Remember'.

I flew through this book in the space of just two days, it's not a long book but the story is quite fast-paced and it was very hard to put down! To say I'm impressed with it would be an understatement! Although nothing major happened in the story, it was deeply emotional. You can't help but get immersed into Lisa's life and feel what she's feeling. It's a fictional story but it just felt so real because Beard touched upon some serious topics such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and spousal abuse. 

I loved the development of relationships between the character of Lisa and others in this book, the one that moved me the most was probably her relationship with John. I did shed a tear (or ten) quite a few times throughout the book. All the characters play a vital part in the story and there isn't a character I didn't like (except for the attacker of course!). How can I not mention Lisa's dog Riley?! The story really showed how an animal can help to keep a person grounded and heal from a tragedy.

If you're like me then the ending of the book is what plays a major part in you loving or hating it. I have to say I couldn't be more pleased with the ending of Dare To Remember. I admit it, I'm a sucker for a happy ending! Beard certainly did it justice by wrapping up the story nicely. 

I decided to give this book a five star rating because that's just what it deserves! I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The story, the characters, the writing - it was all simply brilliant! The only thing I will mention is that I wouldn't classify it as a thriller, it's definitely a psychological crime drama. The story is simple but will for sure leave a great impression on you. 

I do hope that Susanna Beard has another novel up her sleeve because her storytelling definitely left me craving more! (Edit: I just found out on her website that she's finishing off the first draft of her second novel. How exciting!!)


Rating: 5/5

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      About The Author


Susanna Beard is a British debut novelist. She studied linguists before she embarked on a long career in PR and Marketing. 

She decided to become a novelist which lead her to attend Faber  Academy in London where she completed three courses:  Start Your Novel in a Week with Louise Doughty, Get Going with Erica Wagner and  Writing a Novel with Shelley Weiner.






Have you read Dare To Remember?

Sylvia
xo

Thank you to Legend Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

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