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Don't Believe Her
Everyone believes her. Except you.
My life has never been better. I have a beautiful little girl, and I am engaged to be married to the man I’ve had a crush on since I can remember.
So when Nick, my handsome fiancé, announces that his sister Carla is finally coming home, it’s truly the icing on the cake.
Carla was my best friend growing up until she ran away at sixteen. That was twelve years ago, and no one has seen her since.
Everyone is ecstatic about Carla’s return. But as I spend more time with her, I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right. Her behaviour is a little off, her childhood memories don't align with mine, and she's oddly evasive about her lost years.
But no one will listen to my concerns — not Nick, not Carla’s mother, Marjorie, not even our old friends. They all say I’m imagining things.
But I can tell something is wrong. And before long, I know without a shadow of a doubt…
It’s not her.
My life has never been better. I have a beautiful little girl, and I am engaged to be married to the man I’ve had a crush on since I can remember.
So when Nick, my handsome fiancé, announces that his sister Carla is finally coming home, it’s truly the icing on the cake.
Carla was my best friend growing up until she ran away at sixteen. That was twelve years ago, and no one has seen her since.
Everyone is ecstatic about Carla’s return. But as I spend more time with her, I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right. Her behaviour is a little off, her childhood memories don't align with mine, and she's oddly evasive about her lost years.
But no one will listen to my concerns — not Nick, not Carla’s mother, Marjorie, not even our old friends. They all say I’m imagining things.
But I can tell something is wrong. And before long, I know without a shadow of a doubt…
It’s not her.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2024
12383 people are currently reading
36525 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Sanders
3 books2,884 followersNicola Sanders writes psychological thrillers. She lives with her partner on the edge of a forest where she is regularly swooped by magpies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,272 reviews
January 24, 2025
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ book ~ September 3, 2024, audio ~ October 15, 2024
Publisher ~ Dreamscape Media
Est Page Count ~ 302 (p+ 56 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 59 minutes
Narrator ~ Jodie Harris
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ missing person
Ellie's, best friend, Carla, has been missing for 12 years. Now she's engaged to Carla's brother, Nick, and thrilled when she learns Carla is finally coming home. But she starts to have doubts that this is really Carla. Who is this woman then and where is Carla?
Ellie is finding it hard to convince everyone this is not Carla. Carla is working on discrediting Ellie at every chance she gets. I was really believing Ellie myself, but then Carla was really making her sound unreliable, so I didn’t know who to believe. I like when thrillers mess with me like that.
Overall, the plot is not necessarily new, but it was fast paced and I really liked the ending that took me by surprise.
Side note ~ may I ask what was with all of the tongue clicking? Is that something one does and talks about in England because I’ve never heard it in the US?
Narration notes:
She did a pretty good job.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ book ~ September 3, 2024, audio ~ October 15, 2024
Publisher ~ Dreamscape Media
Est Page Count ~ 302 (p+ 56 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 59 minutes
Narrator ~ Jodie Harris
POV ~ dual 1st, present tense
Featuring ~ missing person
Ellie's, best friend, Carla, has been missing for 12 years. Now she's engaged to Carla's brother, Nick, and thrilled when she learns Carla is finally coming home. But she starts to have doubts that this is really Carla. Who is this woman then and where is Carla?
Ellie is finding it hard to convince everyone this is not Carla. Carla is working on discrediting Ellie at every chance she gets. I was really believing Ellie myself, but then Carla was really making her sound unreliable, so I didn’t know who to believe. I like when thrillers mess with me like that.
Overall, the plot is not necessarily new, but it was fast paced and I really liked the ending that took me by surprise.
Side note ~ may I ask what was with all of the tongue clicking? Is that something one does and talks about in England because I’ve never heard it in the US?
Narration notes:
She did a pretty good job.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X
October 21, 2024
Ms Sanders messing with my mind one book at a time!
One of my favourite popcorn thriller authors has returned with a new book in Don’t Believe Her. In this book we are following Ellie who is best friends with Carla. One night 12 years ago Carla calls Ellie crying hysterically that she needs to leave their hometown, but Ellie is reluctant to leave with her. After that night Carla is never to be seen again. Ellie has been trying throughout the years to try and figure out whether Carla is still alive or did something dreadful happen to her that night. In present day she is now engaged to Carla’s older brother Nick and miraculously one day she gets a knock on their door and its Carla! But is it!? Everyone is happy that Carla is back home, but Ellie is convinced that its not really her and she will do all she can to prove that fake Carla is a fraud, even if it results in deadly consequences.
LOOOOOOOOL! What I love about this authors writing is that she is so good at manipulating us readers. She had me bobbing and weaving through the truths and lies and I was losing my mind wondering whether Ellie is a complete nut job or whether I should be rallying behind her.
ALL and I mean ALL the characters were highly irritating and annoying. One dimensional and no character development whatsoever. I kept shouting about all the things I would have done had I been in that situation. I swear it felt like all their brains must be concave or something. Absolute bellends they all were!
It was obvious which characters were up to something and I’m currently using eyedrops as they are so sore from all the eyerolling.
It was very entertaining and fast paced and it was about to get a solid four stars from me then came that batshit absurdity of an ending! Look the highest suspension of disbelief is needed to enjoy this story, but there was just not enough suspension to carry that ending. It was soooo farfetched and ridiculous I started itching from pure annoyance. I really wished an alternative was used.
Minus the negatives the twists were tantalizing and cheeky and it was a very easy read. I will continue reading anything Ms Sanders writes no matter how implausible and crazy they are!
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I have been so excited to read this new release!!
'Don't Let Her Stay' was my fave Popcorn Thriller last year
Ready to be absolutely thrilled again!❤️🤍❤️
One of my favourite popcorn thriller authors has returned with a new book in Don’t Believe Her. In this book we are following Ellie who is best friends with Carla. One night 12 years ago Carla calls Ellie crying hysterically that she needs to leave their hometown, but Ellie is reluctant to leave with her. After that night Carla is never to be seen again. Ellie has been trying throughout the years to try and figure out whether Carla is still alive or did something dreadful happen to her that night. In present day she is now engaged to Carla’s older brother Nick and miraculously one day she gets a knock on their door and its Carla! But is it!? Everyone is happy that Carla is back home, but Ellie is convinced that its not really her and she will do all she can to prove that fake Carla is a fraud, even if it results in deadly consequences.
LOOOOOOOOL! What I love about this authors writing is that she is so good at manipulating us readers. She had me bobbing and weaving through the truths and lies and I was losing my mind wondering whether Ellie is a complete nut job or whether I should be rallying behind her.
ALL and I mean ALL the characters were highly irritating and annoying. One dimensional and no character development whatsoever. I kept shouting about all the things I would have done had I been in that situation. I swear it felt like all their brains must be concave or something. Absolute bellends they all were!
It was obvious which characters were up to something and I’m currently using eyedrops as they are so sore from all the eyerolling.
It was very entertaining and fast paced and it was about to get a solid four stars from me then came that batshit absurdity of an ending! Look the highest suspension of disbelief is needed to enjoy this story, but there was just not enough suspension to carry that ending. It was soooo farfetched and ridiculous I started itching from pure annoyance. I really wished an alternative was used.
Minus the negatives the twists were tantalizing and cheeky and it was a very easy read. I will continue reading anything Ms Sanders writes no matter how implausible and crazy they are!
3.5 ⭐
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
I have been so excited to read this new release!!
'Don't Let Her Stay' was my fave Popcorn Thriller last year
Ready to be absolutely thrilled again!❤️🤍❤️
September 1, 2024
This was a wild, twisted, unpredictable ride! Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, it immediately went in a direction I never expected. I couldn't stop reading as the twists and turns accumulated. This is the second book I have read by Nicola Sanders and will definitely not be my last. She has become an auto-read author for me. I highly recommend this book to all thriller addicts. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you BookSirens for my copy.
Thank you BookSirens for my copy.
November 25, 2024
I want to start by saying the other two books I’ve read from this author are really good. But this one…. How is this the same author?! This went from bad to worse.
I checked a couple times to make sure this wasn’t satire. That’s the only thing that could’ve made this make sense.
It reads like a preteen wrote the book.
I have never met a lead female character as stupid as this one. And the ending… 😂😂😂 this book made me laugh if nothing else.
I really need to learn to DNF things.
Ps if I have to hear the name Carla one more time
I checked a couple times to make sure this wasn’t satire. That’s the only thing that could’ve made this make sense.
It reads like a preteen wrote the book.
I have never met a lead female character as stupid as this one. And the ending… 😂😂😂 this book made me laugh if nothing else.
I really need to learn to DNF things.
Ps if I have to hear the name Carla one more time
June 15, 2025
I love it
short chapters , easy to read
And rollercoaster emotions for me, for the plot twists I never see it coming, I enjoyed reading this one
short chapters , easy to read
And rollercoaster emotions for me, for the plot twists I never see it coming, I enjoyed reading this one
September 3, 2024
If you love Freida McFadden, you'll love this one!
This was a fast and gripping read that I raced through.
The main character Ellie goes through such an ordeal when it appears she is the only person who suspects the woman claiming to be Carla isn't actually her missing friend. I found this frustrating as I wanted her to find an ally, but it definitely added to the tension of Ellie's situation and how the ending plays out.
I've heard a lot of good things about Sanders' book Don't Let Her Stay, so I'm off to order it!
This was a fast and gripping read that I raced through.
The main character Ellie goes through such an ordeal when it appears she is the only person who suspects the woman claiming to be Carla isn't actually her missing friend. I found this frustrating as I wanted her to find an ally, but it definitely added to the tension of Ellie's situation and how the ending plays out.
I've heard a lot of good things about Sanders' book Don't Let Her Stay, so I'm off to order it!
March 31, 2025
A bit OTT ending, but it still made some kind of sense. Plenty of action before the big reveal.
October 7, 2024
Wow, this book totally blew me away! Ellie’s best friend Carla disappeared years ago, and now Ellie is engaged to Carla’s brother, Nick, and living with their mom, Marjorie. Ellie has always been convinced that Carla is dead, but Nick’s been secretly working with a private investigator to find her—and guess what? They do! Through a Facebook post, of all things. When Carla finally returns, she’s this stunning, glamorous version of herself, claiming she’s been living a fabulous life in Paris all these years… but there’s something off. The Carla I knew isn’t the Carla who came back. Could it really be her? And if it’s not… who is this woman?
This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s one of those stories that messes with your head in the best possible way. Just when I thought I knew where it was headed, I’d be thrown completely off-track. I found myself doubting what I believed over and over again. It’s one of those rare thrillers where the author leads you to think one thing and then bam, everything changes at the very last moment. I LOVE surprise endings, and this one did not disappoint!
The pacing was fantastic, and I loved how the tension kept building and building. The characters felt so real, too. I couldn’t help but put myself in Ellie’s shoes, wondering how I’d feel and what I’d do if I were in her position.
Also, a shout-out to Jodie Harris for her incredible narration of the audiobook. Her voice added so much depth and intensity to the story that I felt every twist and turn even more deeply. It made the whole experience so much more gripping.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It’s one of those stories that messes with your head in the best possible way. Just when I thought I knew where it was headed, I’d be thrown completely off-track. I found myself doubting what I believed over and over again. It’s one of those rare thrillers where the author leads you to think one thing and then bam, everything changes at the very last moment. I LOVE surprise endings, and this one did not disappoint!
The pacing was fantastic, and I loved how the tension kept building and building. The characters felt so real, too. I couldn’t help but put myself in Ellie’s shoes, wondering how I’d feel and what I’d do if I were in her position.
Also, a shout-out to Jodie Harris for her incredible narration of the audiobook. Her voice added so much depth and intensity to the story that I felt every twist and turn even more deeply. It made the whole experience so much more gripping.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 26, 2024
4.25 stars
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYhdRHEe/
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYhdRHEe/
September 16, 2024
This is a twisty, suspenseful thriller. It was entertaining, and I enjoyed the plotline. The twists were somewhat predictable, but I like it when a story 'makes sense.' I'd recommend it for a quick read. It's nothing mind-blowing, but it's decent for the genre. Four stars! ✨
November 6, 2024
This is easily the worst thriller I have read this year. The dialogue read like it was written by a junior high school student. The interactions between the characters made no sense. I figured out the “shocking twist” in the first 25% of the book.
October 7, 2024
If you don’t mind over the top domestic thrillers that have some ridiculous plot points this was fun! It’s fast paced and entertaining with lots of reveals and secrets and lies. Jodie Harris was an engaging narrator and I flew through this one in just a few hours.
September 15, 2024
I had high hopes and I really wanted to like this book but the characters were painful. If one more of them clicked their tongue…ugh!
November 4, 2024
4.6 ⭐️ 🎧
After having read (and loved) “Don’t Let Her Stay,” I was excited to read more by this author 🤗
I am very much glad that I did! This book was a well-written, fast-paced thriller that kept me on my toes.
I loved the unexpected twists and was not able to completely solve this one, nor able to predict where the author would take me next, which is a 👏🏼👏🏼 for me.
While I think I would have enjoyed the ending being left open with a little more suspense, it was wrapped up nicely. Maybe a little too clean and cinematic?
Okaaay Nicola, I see what you are about. Keep them coming!!!
After having read (and loved) “Don’t Let Her Stay,” I was excited to read more by this author 🤗
I am very much glad that I did! This book was a well-written, fast-paced thriller that kept me on my toes.
I loved the unexpected twists and was not able to completely solve this one, nor able to predict where the author would take me next, which is a 👏🏼👏🏼 for me.
While I think I would have enjoyed the ending being left open with a little more suspense, it was wrapped up nicely. Maybe a little too clean and cinematic?
Okaaay Nicola, I see what you are about. Keep them coming!!!
November 23, 2024
The ending is so out there and weird. Weird because no one would act like Ellie and Carla when Ellie came out of the well. They wouldn’t have argued, joked, or caught up in that exact moment without getting out of there first. I did not like it at all. Honestly, I struggled between 2 or 3 stars, but went with 3 because it had promise to be so much better, but fell short for me for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2024
This twisty psychological thriller is entertaining, but very far fetched. Most times I’m okay with that, but I also found parts of it repetitive and it felt a little longer than it needed to be. Jodie Harris does well in the narration of the audiobook production.
January 12, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was a lot - not in a bad way just a lot! Quite the popcorn thriller with many twists and turns along the way. It kept me guessing until the end. Where a lot of it was pretty predictable there were still some things I did not see coming.
This was definitely a thriller that was a mystery with a good combination of psychological thriller in it. At one point I was just as confused as the main character was. This is available on kindle unlimited and I recommend it if you are looking for a fast paced popcorn thriller!
This was a lot - not in a bad way just a lot! Quite the popcorn thriller with many twists and turns along the way. It kept me guessing until the end. Where a lot of it was pretty predictable there were still some things I did not see coming.
This was definitely a thriller that was a mystery with a good combination of psychological thriller in it. At one point I was just as confused as the main character was. This is available on kindle unlimited and I recommend it if you are looking for a fast paced popcorn thriller!
December 11, 2024
Seriously bad. I wanted to stop reading it not too far in, but I went back to read goodreads reviews and they gave me hope lol. I just kept waiting for it to get better. It was ridiculous and just kept getting worse. The ending was also terrible. The main character was so incredibly stupid.
October 19, 2024
Predictable the whole way through, very slow, guessed the dragged out ending.
dnf
October 31, 2024DNF at 36%.
Characters were boring and had ridiculously unrealistic reaction to long lost sister’s return.
Characters were boring and had ridiculously unrealistic reaction to long lost sister’s return.
August 9, 2024
Finished reading this book and oh my god was it good? Yes! Was i intrigued by it? Yess! Did I stay up the whole night, for the first time ever in my life, to finish it in one go? Hell yes! Was I satisfied with the ending? Yes yes yes! Did I see it coming? I thought I did but oh I was so wrong and I am so happy that I was wrong. Do I feel that people are gonna love this one? Absolutely yess!
This is a terrific-ly fantastic book and I think the author has done wonders. This is my first book from her and I am so glad that i chose this one, although now i am gonna read her other works as well. Talking about the book, I have no words for how smartly, the story has been put out. There are so many plot twists that you can't even think about! At one second, you'd have all of it figure out and the next second you'll be proved wrong. This is how sharply Nicola has put the plot. The writing is amazing, the storyline is thrilling and the characters - you know that something is wrong with them but you can't point out your finger to that - are all so mysterious and insane! Sometimes I'd put the book down to process what i just read but the next minute, I was picking the book back because I couldn't wait to unfold the truth. This is how crazy it was! You guys have to read this one(thank me later, hehe). It's a must read peeps! And Nicola, if you ever come across this, know that you have done a fantastic job writing this and no words can ever do the justice to tell how beautifully you have written this!
5⭐
This is a terrific-ly fantastic book and I think the author has done wonders. This is my first book from her and I am so glad that i chose this one, although now i am gonna read her other works as well. Talking about the book, I have no words for how smartly, the story has been put out. There are so many plot twists that you can't even think about! At one second, you'd have all of it figure out and the next second you'll be proved wrong. This is how sharply Nicola has put the plot. The writing is amazing, the storyline is thrilling and the characters - you know that something is wrong with them but you can't point out your finger to that - are all so mysterious and insane! Sometimes I'd put the book down to process what i just read but the next minute, I was picking the book back because I couldn't wait to unfold the truth. This is how crazy it was! You guys have to read this one(thank me later, hehe). It's a must read peeps! And Nicola, if you ever come across this, know that you have done a fantastic job writing this and no words can ever do the justice to tell how beautifully you have written this!
5⭐
October 2, 2024
Many years ago, sixteen-year-old Carla disappeared.
Her best friend Ellie is now engaged to Carla's brother when Carla miraculously reappears.
But is this woman really Carla?
Ellie doesn't believe her.
Do you?
"Is this woman really who she says she is?" is not a new premise for psychological thrillers.
Although I was intrigued by the book's compelling premise, I was expecting talented author Nicola Sanders to put a more authentic and realistic spin on this popular and overdone premise.
Although the book's pacing was spot-on, the book had waaay too many eye-rolling moments.
I listened to the audiobook read by Jodie Harris. Her narration was good but not great.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2025
Not for me but HAD to know the ending, lol
May 4, 2025
Really great twists!!
October 18, 2024
"Don't Believe Her" by Nicola Sanders is an addictive thriller that is very easy to binge read.
Ellie and Carla were best friends through school. Carla ran away at 16 years old. Ellie has been trying to find her ever since. Ellie is engaged to Nick, Carla's brother, and living with him at his mother's home, helping to care for her.
They think Carla has been found, but when she arrives, Ellie doesn't believe it's really Carla.
This is a very intense and exciting thriller with several twists. It is quite engaging and hard to put down.
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 4/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5 by Jodee Harris
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 35/8 = 4 3/8 rounded down to 4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Nicola Sanders for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Ellie and Carla were best friends through school. Carla ran away at 16 years old. Ellie has been trying to find her ever since. Ellie is engaged to Nick, Carla's brother, and living with him at his mother's home, helping to care for her.
They think Carla has been found, but when she arrives, Ellie doesn't believe it's really Carla.
This is a very intense and exciting thriller with several twists. It is quite engaging and hard to put down.
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 4/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 5/5 by Jodee Harris
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 35/8 = 4 3/8 rounded down to 4 stars
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Nicola Sanders for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2024
A long ago dissappearnace!
A girl shows up claiming to be the long lost friend and sister. Her name is Carla.
Everyone has their opinion. Her best friend Ellie claims it’s not her. The brother Nick believes it’s his sister. Nick is engaged to Carla’s best friend.
Even Carla and Nicks mother concurs. This creates a huge problem.
So many crazy twists! Who is telling the truth? I love a book that completely shocks me!
A girl shows up claiming to be the long lost friend and sister. Her name is Carla.
Everyone has their opinion. Her best friend Ellie claims it’s not her. The brother Nick believes it’s his sister. Nick is engaged to Carla’s best friend.
Even Carla and Nicks mother concurs. This creates a huge problem.
So many crazy twists! Who is telling the truth? I love a book that completely shocks me!
December 20, 2024
i don’t even know if i can give this 2 stars. idk how it has over a 4 star rating it was so bad!! i feel bad but i am low key shocked as to how cheesy it was, like high school writing class and AI wrote a bad book lol
October 16, 2024
Wildly idiotic. This is terrible. My average rating for the year, even after 200 books, is beyond repair. I may as well just tank the next fifty and hope for a high draft pick next year.
October 19, 2024
I did NOT see the final twist coming!!! Woah!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,272 reviews