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About Him

HIM.

Catherine has become mute. She has witnessed something so disturbing that she simply can't speak - not to her husband, her children, or her friends. The doctors say the only way forward is to look into her past. Catherine needs to start with Him. Lucian. Catherine met the love of her life at university and was drawn into his elite circle of privileged, hedonistic friends. But one night it all falls apart and she leaves him, shattering his life forever. Still, fifteen years later, Lucian haunts every one of Catherine's quiet moments, and when they are unexpectedly reunited, their love reignites with explosive force. But they can't move on from what happened all those years ago. In fact, uncovering the truth will cause their lives to implode once again. This time, with disastrous consequences.

My review of Him

This book meant so many things to me. It's quite a remarkable book, sold as a psychological thriller, but, to me, this book was so much more. From the very beginning I was drawn into the web that was Catherine's story. Her silence intrigued ne. What had happened to her? What trauma had caused her silence? I wanted to be a part of this family, to unearth their secrets and to find out what really happened to Catherine.

This book is told from two points of view and in different time zones; the present day and fifteen years previously. We read Catherine's point of view, and those of 'Him' Lucian. Her first real love who she has never forgotten. Although distant, he remains a huge part of her life. First love, attraction and obsession are huge themes in the book and each is beautifully explored.

We have the relationship between Catherine and Lucian, both in the past and in the present, which is interwoven with Catherine's relationship with her husband, Sam. We read about issues of fidelity, of a different kind of love and that sometimes the heart rules the head.

This story revolves around a huge secret that is revealed towards the end of the book. And it is the reason for everything. The realisation of what had happened took my breath away, as I was so invested in all of these characters. I felt an instant connection with Catherine, that something in her past had changed her and that silence was her only way to cope with the world. I connected with Lucian, her first love, a likeable guy who never really stopped loving her. 

This is a dark, compelling and addictive love story that seeped into my bones. It really is a thought provoking read, and one that I'll return to again and again.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.

Him was published by Orion on 23 August.