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Never Let You Go
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2017)
Librarian’s note: An alternate cover for this Kindle ASIN can be found here.
A chilling, twisting thriller that crackles with suspense, perfect for fans of BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and THE GIRL BEFORE.
Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband, Andrew, was sent to jail and Lindsey started over with a new life.
Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with her own business and a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When Andrew is finally released from prison, Lindsey believes she has cut all ties and left the past behind her. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her, tracking her every move. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed.
Lindsey is convinced it's her ex-husband, even though he claims he's a different person. But has he really changed? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought?
'Stevens's taut writing and chilling depiction of love twisted beyond recognition make this a compelling read' Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
'Disturbing, suspenseful, and just a little nerve-wracking' Library Journal
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2017
1335 people are currently reading
61430 people want to read
About the author
Chevy Stevens
21 books10.8k followersCHEVY STEVENS lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and daughter. When she’s not working on her next book, she’s spending time with her family and their two dogs. Chevy's debut novel, STILL MISSING, was a New York Times bestseller and won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel. Her books, including THOSE GIRLS which Stephen King called "incredibly scary" have been published in more than thirty countries. Her seventh novel, DARK ROADS, is now available. Please visit her at www.ChevyStevens.com.
REVIEW POLICY: I only rate books I really love. This is a way for me to share my favourites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,949 reviews
October 16, 2016
Well, I wrote it, so I should like it a lot, right? :)
July 5, 2022
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
I am a huge fan of Chevy Stevens. "Never Let You Go" is her newest novel that will be released in March of 2017.
After reading the book description I was pretty sure that I was going to love this book.
I was right!
The book starts off from Lindsay Nash's point of view. It's November 2005. Lindsay, her husband Andrew, and daughter Sophie are on holiday in Mexico. But this is definitely not a vacation for Lindsay. She can't just enjoy the sun and relax by the pool. She wears a one-piece swimsuit, a cover-up, a hat and huge sunglasses to the beach. She averts her eyes and tries not to look at anyone, tries hard not to draw attention to herself. To others they appear to be another happy family. That's not the case. Lindsay constantly has to walk on eggshells, careful not to upset her husband and at the same time try to shield her seven-year old from what's going on. Lindsay can see the wariness that her daughter's eyes already hold, how nervous Sophie is around her father.
Something as simple as Lindsay pulling away from his kiss before HE ends it could set him off. It's a full-time job trying to keep Andrew happy. No matter how hard she tries she'll never be able to be careful enough. An accidental brush of her hand against the male server is enough to send her husband into a rage. And if he's been drinking it's even worse.
But Lindsay is one of the ones who gets away. She leaves her abusive husband and he ends up in jail. It was hard starting over but she did it. She now runs a small cleaning business, hiring women who were once in her position. And she's very focused on taking care of her teenage daughter, Sophie.
But what will happen when Andrew is released from prison? He promises that he's not going to bother them when he gets out. Will he keep that promise?
But then strange things start happening. Lindsay feels like she's being followed, and even feels like someone has been in her home. It can't be her ex-husband because he doesn't even know where they are...does he?
By taking us back to their early years together, we see how the relationship grew into the nightmare it became. Most of the time an abusive partner doesn't show their true colors right away. However, there are often those little red flags that pop up, that feeling in our gut that something isn't right.
But there's so much more to this story. Of course the toxic relationship between Lindsay and Andrew is a big part of it. But it's also about Lindsay and Sophie, and many of the other characters. The character development was excellent. I liked and admired Lindsay and I also really liked Sophie. I felt their bond was realistic and I found that I related to the close relationship they had.
Of course some of the characters behaviors and choices had me wanting to shout at my Kindle again (but I've promised my daughter I would stop doing that).
The book flows back and forth from past to present and is told from both Lindsay and Sophie's point of view. It was easy to follow along and their different perspectives on what was happening made it even more interesting. I would be positive I had it all figured out but then something would happen that had me second guessing everything I thought I knew. I was always uncertain as to what would happen next.
It was really intense and as the tension grew I knew I wasn't going to bed until I finished it. Sleep...schmeep....I needed to know how this was going to end.
It was all worth it
This was a fantastic read. Fast paced and highly suspenseful with plenty of plot twists, believable characters and situations. With a perfect amount of build-up and tension until the intense conclusion when we find out who did what and why. Honestly even if I had gotten lucky and guessed right....I would still have enjoyed the read.
I love the way Chevy Stevens tells a story. I highly recommend "Never Let You Go". It's a great read that gripped me from beginning to end.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Chevy Stevens for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I am a huge fan of Chevy Stevens. "Never Let You Go" is her newest novel that will be released in March of 2017.
After reading the book description I was pretty sure that I was going to love this book.
I was right!
The book starts off from Lindsay Nash's point of view. It's November 2005. Lindsay, her husband Andrew, and daughter Sophie are on holiday in Mexico. But this is definitely not a vacation for Lindsay. She can't just enjoy the sun and relax by the pool. She wears a one-piece swimsuit, a cover-up, a hat and huge sunglasses to the beach. She averts her eyes and tries not to look at anyone, tries hard not to draw attention to herself. To others they appear to be another happy family. That's not the case. Lindsay constantly has to walk on eggshells, careful not to upset her husband and at the same time try to shield her seven-year old from what's going on. Lindsay can see the wariness that her daughter's eyes already hold, how nervous Sophie is around her father.
Something as simple as Lindsay pulling away from his kiss before HE ends it could set him off. It's a full-time job trying to keep Andrew happy. No matter how hard she tries she'll never be able to be careful enough. An accidental brush of her hand against the male server is enough to send her husband into a rage. And if he's been drinking it's even worse.
But Lindsay is one of the ones who gets away. She leaves her abusive husband and he ends up in jail. It was hard starting over but she did it. She now runs a small cleaning business, hiring women who were once in her position. And she's very focused on taking care of her teenage daughter, Sophie.
But what will happen when Andrew is released from prison? He promises that he's not going to bother them when he gets out. Will he keep that promise?
But then strange things start happening. Lindsay feels like she's being followed, and even feels like someone has been in her home. It can't be her ex-husband because he doesn't even know where they are...does he?
By taking us back to their early years together, we see how the relationship grew into the nightmare it became. Most of the time an abusive partner doesn't show their true colors right away. However, there are often those little red flags that pop up, that feeling in our gut that something isn't right.
But there's so much more to this story. Of course the toxic relationship between Lindsay and Andrew is a big part of it. But it's also about Lindsay and Sophie, and many of the other characters. The character development was excellent. I liked and admired Lindsay and I also really liked Sophie. I felt their bond was realistic and I found that I related to the close relationship they had.
Of course some of the characters behaviors and choices had me wanting to shout at my Kindle again (but I've promised my daughter I would stop doing that).
The book flows back and forth from past to present and is told from both Lindsay and Sophie's point of view. It was easy to follow along and their different perspectives on what was happening made it even more interesting. I would be positive I had it all figured out but then something would happen that had me second guessing everything I thought I knew. I was always uncertain as to what would happen next.
It was really intense and as the tension grew I knew I wasn't going to bed until I finished it. Sleep...schmeep....I needed to know how this was going to end.
It was all worth it
This was a fantastic read. Fast paced and highly suspenseful with plenty of plot twists, believable characters and situations. With a perfect amount of build-up and tension until the intense conclusion when we find out who did what and why. Honestly even if I had gotten lucky and guessed right....I would still have enjoyed the read.
I love the way Chevy Stevens tells a story. I highly recommend "Never Let You Go". It's a great read that gripped me from beginning to end.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Chevy Stevens for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
March 27, 2017
4.5 stars
This was my first Chevy Stevens and wow . . . what a book to start with! I’m impressed. A fear-inducing story of manipulation and love gone wrong, NEVER LET YOU GO serves up mind games in the form of devious twists. Seriously, is there anything better than a great twist to knock you on your ass and change your entire perspective?
Ms. Stevens starts by dragging the reader through a gamut of emotions - the excitement of Andrew and Lindsey falling in love and starting a family, the heartbreak when things ultimately fall apart and the gut-wrenching devastation and fear following the final betrayal of trust. What's it going to take for Lindsey to get Andrew out of her life?
Fast forward ten years and fresh out of prison, he's back. Andrew manages to track down his broken family under the guise of reconnecting with his now 17-year-old daughter and finding work on the small island they call home. When she starts to have that niggling feeling of being watched and things around her house end up out of place, Lindsey panics. Is it time to run and start all over . . . again?
Hello, can I just say, I loved the whole SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY vibe?! Talk about creepiness seeping from the pages. There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than the thought of being watched . . . or stalked like prey. The way the fear manages to eat away at your soul and contaminate your every thought. The very fact that this abusive man you once loved might never let you go. Or even worse, his pseudo charm winning over your daughter's heart.
What threw me for a loop was my own feelings and the way Ms. Stevens kept toying with them. She flipped the script in a big way (I'm talking one heck of a twist!) and left me . . . dare I say . . . sort of sad? If you’ve read the book then you know I’m completely crazy, right? I totally own it, but I’m blaming it on my optimistic nature and bleeding heart.
I was so busy focusing my attention on what seemed like the obvious answer, the truth snuck up behind me and whispered in my ear that I was wrong . . . so very wrong. Naturally, being a suspense junkie, I had a couple of scenarios swimming around in my mind, but I refused, straight refused, to consider that was even be a possibility. It completely shattered my trust in everyone and motivated me to explore the minds of Chevy Stevens' other characters.
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Chevy Stevens and wow . . . what a book to start with! I’m impressed. A fear-inducing story of manipulation and love gone wrong, NEVER LET YOU GO serves up mind games in the form of devious twists. Seriously, is there anything better than a great twist to knock you on your ass and change your entire perspective?
Ms. Stevens starts by dragging the reader through a gamut of emotions - the excitement of Andrew and Lindsey falling in love and starting a family, the heartbreak when things ultimately fall apart and the gut-wrenching devastation and fear following the final betrayal of trust. What's it going to take for Lindsey to get Andrew out of her life?
Fast forward ten years and fresh out of prison, he's back. Andrew manages to track down his broken family under the guise of reconnecting with his now 17-year-old daughter and finding work on the small island they call home. When she starts to have that niggling feeling of being watched and things around her house end up out of place, Lindsey panics. Is it time to run and start all over . . . again?
Hello, can I just say, I loved the whole SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY vibe?! Talk about creepiness seeping from the pages. There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than the thought of being watched . . . or stalked like prey. The way the fear manages to eat away at your soul and contaminate your every thought. The very fact that this abusive man you once loved might never let you go. Or even worse, his pseudo charm winning over your daughter's heart.
What threw me for a loop was my own feelings and the way Ms. Stevens kept toying with them. She flipped the script in a big way (I'm talking one heck of a twist!) and left me . . . dare I say . . . sort of sad? If you’ve read the book then you know I’m completely crazy, right? I totally own it, but I’m blaming it on my optimistic nature and bleeding heart.
I was so busy focusing my attention on what seemed like the obvious answer, the truth snuck up behind me and whispered in my ear that I was wrong . . . so very wrong. Naturally, being a suspense junkie, I had a couple of scenarios swimming around in my mind, but I refused, straight refused, to consider that was even be a possibility. It completely shattered my trust in everyone and motivated me to explore the minds of Chevy Stevens' other characters.
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2017
I am pleased to announce that I am back on the Chevy train! I’ve been an avid follower of Mrs. Stevens and her books since I first picked up Still Missing back in 2010. I’ve read all of her books and, while I have my favorites *cough cough Still Missing and Always Watching cough cough*, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them except her last book, Those Girls. While it was entertaining and not terrible, it didn’t feel like the rest of her books and I wondered if maybe she’d lost her touch. Not so peeps; I’m so excited to inform you that Never Let You Go was a fantastic read, so fantastic that it might take the spot of my favorite Chevy book to date.
The plot is very similar in style and formatting to her other books, especially her earlier stories, and this worked well for me. I loved how the POV and tense changed rapidly between chapters and caused me to pay attention more closely. In fact, this book includes a couple of individual plots, past and present, and then merges them together so flawlessly I had to give a mental standing ovation to the author for her sheer talent. I was able to connect well with the characters in this book and even found myself empathetic toward the naive teenage girl that I occasionally wanted to give a light smacking to and say “Listen to your mama, little lady!”. I found myself pleased with how much more realistic the characters felt in this book rather than the last one and was impressed with the growth in the author’s writing. The pacing was incredibly fast; even at over 400 pages I read almost the entire book in one day. The building suspense and concluding action ramped up my heart rate and made this book easy to blow through.
There are twists, big and small, and if I’m being honest I thought they were well done regardless of how much they shock and surprise you. I think as readers of psychological thriller and suspense stories, we have come to a point where the Gone Girl frenzy has turned us into little monsters that demand to be duped in every single book we read. No matter if a time comes where authors begin to struggle coming up with new scenarios, since we all know there are really only a handful to choose from; we have begun to base our ratings and reviews on that one remote aspect and it is killing the genre. I’m as guilty as the rest for doing this, and I’ve decided I can’t keep holding authors responsible for re-creating a feeling I had while reading someone else’s book. Back to this plot– there are a very limited number of characters to choose from, so you might figure it all out before the reveal, and if so, good for you. I had briefly flirted with the who but the why and how shocked me, as the pace is moving so fast you really don’t have much time to think things through as with those slow burners. All in all, I was extremely pleased with this read and couldn’t have asked for anything more.
If you enjoy fast paced thrillers with ever changing POVs and multiple twists of various sizes, this book is for you. If you are a fan of animals, you will also likely enjoy Chevy’s books as she is a hard core animal activist in real life (yay!) and this is portrayed well in her novels. There is a brief instance in this book that is emotional involving an animal, but it is neither violent or physically abusive toward such, and in turn very easy to stomach. I’m so excited for fans of the author’s works to read this book; it had a very different approach to the domestic abuse sub-genre while also keeping that same tense, breath holding terror we all come to look for in those type of reads. Highly recommended!
*Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my copy; it was a pleasure to provide an honest review.
The plot is very similar in style and formatting to her other books, especially her earlier stories, and this worked well for me. I loved how the POV and tense changed rapidly between chapters and caused me to pay attention more closely. In fact, this book includes a couple of individual plots, past and present, and then merges them together so flawlessly I had to give a mental standing ovation to the author for her sheer talent. I was able to connect well with the characters in this book and even found myself empathetic toward the naive teenage girl that I occasionally wanted to give a light smacking to and say “Listen to your mama, little lady!”. I found myself pleased with how much more realistic the characters felt in this book rather than the last one and was impressed with the growth in the author’s writing. The pacing was incredibly fast; even at over 400 pages I read almost the entire book in one day. The building suspense and concluding action ramped up my heart rate and made this book easy to blow through.
There are twists, big and small, and if I’m being honest I thought they were well done regardless of how much they shock and surprise you. I think as readers of psychological thriller and suspense stories, we have come to a point where the Gone Girl frenzy has turned us into little monsters that demand to be duped in every single book we read. No matter if a time comes where authors begin to struggle coming up with new scenarios, since we all know there are really only a handful to choose from; we have begun to base our ratings and reviews on that one remote aspect and it is killing the genre. I’m as guilty as the rest for doing this, and I’ve decided I can’t keep holding authors responsible for re-creating a feeling I had while reading someone else’s book. Back to this plot– there are a very limited number of characters to choose from, so you might figure it all out before the reveal, and if so, good for you. I had briefly flirted with the who but the why and how shocked me, as the pace is moving so fast you really don’t have much time to think things through as with those slow burners. All in all, I was extremely pleased with this read and couldn’t have asked for anything more.
If you enjoy fast paced thrillers with ever changing POVs and multiple twists of various sizes, this book is for you. If you are a fan of animals, you will also likely enjoy Chevy’s books as she is a hard core animal activist in real life (yay!) and this is portrayed well in her novels. There is a brief instance in this book that is emotional involving an animal, but it is neither violent or physically abusive toward such, and in turn very easy to stomach. I’m so excited for fans of the author’s works to read this book; it had a very different approach to the domestic abuse sub-genre while also keeping that same tense, breath holding terror we all come to look for in those type of reads. Highly recommended!
*Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for my copy; it was a pleasure to provide an honest review.
March 29, 2017
*3.5 stars rounded up*
My husband and I once had an argument because I wanted to recreate the entire cast of Spongebob using family members and he didn't want to play. It wasn’t a serious fight, of course, and it ended with both of us laughing at our (ok, my) idiocy, but the point is—marriage be crazy sometimes! It’s the ultimate stomping ground for ungodly amounts of insignificant disputes. And when *fiction* gets a hold of this sacred bond and warps its complexities into darkly disturbing thrillers, it can be immensely (if not scarily) entertaining.
Which is precisely why I love domestic thrillers.
Of course, the marital drama in Never Let You Go sees my spongebob altercation and raises the stakes by about a million.
We have a woman and her daughter on the run, desperate to hide from an abusive ex-husband. The story is broken into three parts; the first part weaves in and out of past and present settings.
We see the “honeymoon” phase: his charm; her adoration. We can sense the allure. Then, snap to the present which is ridden with fear and anxiety and betrayal.
She wants to leave him. She has to leave him. But what if he comes through on his threat and takes their daughter away? What if he kills her?
She just can’t risk it, and so she stays. She’s determined to be “better’ and “good” and everything perfect to keep him happy; keep his rage at bay.
She makes excuses for him. It’s always her fault. She breathes it all in and swallows it down until she can physically and mentally take no more…and then she forms a plan. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, and she’s finally going to reach for it.
This story is told through a first person narration, so we really get an in-depth feel of the struggle. In its latter parts, the perspective begins to alternate with the heroine’s teenaged daughter, which instantly increases the power of the plot. You will ache for both women, and long to see them live a life free from fear and uncertainty.
The writing is simple yet effective, and has a very matter-of-fact air about it. This author is a good storyteller and doesn't just spark the reader’s interest, but holds on to it. The only area that confounded me a bit was the fact that all the “suspects” seem to hold the same amount of mystery. I felt any of them could have fit the bill, so to speak.
Don’t get me wrong, I love when I don’t know which characters can be trusted, but it kind of softens the blow if you suspect everyone equally throughout the entire read--at least, that was the case for me here. That said, most of the twists themselves (although not entirely surprising) were very well-handled, and there was one particular stunner I did NOT see coming until it was just about in my face.
This is my first read by Miss Stevens, and I’m going to guess that fans of her work will LOVE this one.
*Huge thanks to publisher for providing Arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
My husband and I once had an argument because I wanted to recreate the entire cast of Spongebob using family members and he didn't want to play. It wasn’t a serious fight, of course, and it ended with both of us laughing at our (ok, my) idiocy, but the point is—marriage be crazy sometimes! It’s the ultimate stomping ground for ungodly amounts of insignificant disputes. And when *fiction* gets a hold of this sacred bond and warps its complexities into darkly disturbing thrillers, it can be immensely (if not scarily) entertaining.
Which is precisely why I love domestic thrillers.
Of course, the marital drama in Never Let You Go sees my spongebob altercation and raises the stakes by about a million.
We have a woman and her daughter on the run, desperate to hide from an abusive ex-husband. The story is broken into three parts; the first part weaves in and out of past and present settings.
We see the “honeymoon” phase: his charm; her adoration. We can sense the allure. Then, snap to the present which is ridden with fear and anxiety and betrayal.
She wants to leave him. She has to leave him. But what if he comes through on his threat and takes their daughter away? What if he kills her?
She just can’t risk it, and so she stays. She’s determined to be “better’ and “good” and everything perfect to keep him happy; keep his rage at bay.
She makes excuses for him. It’s always her fault. She breathes it all in and swallows it down until she can physically and mentally take no more…and then she forms a plan. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, and she’s finally going to reach for it.
This story is told through a first person narration, so we really get an in-depth feel of the struggle. In its latter parts, the perspective begins to alternate with the heroine’s teenaged daughter, which instantly increases the power of the plot. You will ache for both women, and long to see them live a life free from fear and uncertainty.
The writing is simple yet effective, and has a very matter-of-fact air about it. This author is a good storyteller and doesn't just spark the reader’s interest, but holds on to it. The only area that confounded me a bit was the fact that all the “suspects” seem to hold the same amount of mystery. I felt any of them could have fit the bill, so to speak.
Don’t get me wrong, I love when I don’t know which characters can be trusted, but it kind of softens the blow if you suspect everyone equally throughout the entire read--at least, that was the case for me here. That said, most of the twists themselves (although not entirely surprising) were very well-handled, and there was one particular stunner I did NOT see coming until it was just about in my face.
This is my first read by Miss Stevens, and I’m going to guess that fans of her work will LOVE this one.
*Huge thanks to publisher for providing Arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
April 28, 2017
This is the first book that I've ever read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last. 'Never Let You Go' was a suspenseful and highly engaging read/listen. I listened to the Audible version and I did not want to pull myself away from this story until I had finished it. I kept telling myself, "just another few minutes and I'll turn it off". Once I got started on this book, I had to keep going. It was great!
The story unfolds little by little, alternating between present time and flashbacks to the past. From the start, we know that Lindsey has built herself a new life after escaping an abusive husband. Yet, her abusive past is revealed gradually through her flashbacks. Told in this manner, it is easy to see how Lindsey got sucked in by her ex-husband, Andrew. I was enthralled, watching how charming he was initially and how he gradually increased the control he had over her life until it was absolute. As the violence escalated, it was evident that Lindsey had to get out of her marriage or that she would die at Andrew's hands.
Now, over ten years later, Lindsey has established a new life for herself and her daughter, Sophie. A young child when Lindsey took her daughter on the run, Sophie is now a teenager. She knows nothing of her father, except what her mother has told her and the few articles that she's been able to find.
As much as she loves her mother, she can't help but be curious about the father that she's never known. She's only ever known the life of a child of a single-mother, struggling to make ends meet. She envies the children of the wealthy parents whose houses her mother cleans. She can't help but wonder what it must be like to have both parents.
Now that Andrew is due for release from prison, Sophie's dreams of the father she hasn't known since she was five have the chance to become a reality. As she begins to work on building a relationship with him, her mother begins to fear for their safety.
Strange things start to happen. It is clear that somebody is messing with Lindsey. She's scared...and she should be. Somebody is out to get her and she is terrified that Andrew is out to finish what he started all of those years ago.
From start to finish, this story had my full attention. My heart was pounding and I was on the edge of my seat from the time that these strange occurrences began haunting Lindsey, until everything was out in the open. There were quite a few twists and turns along the way. I had my suspicions, but I was definitely surprised by the way things worked out. I didn't piece things together until the author wanted me to.
Overall, this was a fantastic story. If you're in the mood for a thriller/suspense/mystery, then this is a good one. It will definitely make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
The story unfolds little by little, alternating between present time and flashbacks to the past. From the start, we know that Lindsey has built herself a new life after escaping an abusive husband. Yet, her abusive past is revealed gradually through her flashbacks. Told in this manner, it is easy to see how Lindsey got sucked in by her ex-husband, Andrew. I was enthralled, watching how charming he was initially and how he gradually increased the control he had over her life until it was absolute. As the violence escalated, it was evident that Lindsey had to get out of her marriage or that she would die at Andrew's hands.
Now, over ten years later, Lindsey has established a new life for herself and her daughter, Sophie. A young child when Lindsey took her daughter on the run, Sophie is now a teenager. She knows nothing of her father, except what her mother has told her and the few articles that she's been able to find.
As much as she loves her mother, she can't help but be curious about the father that she's never known. She's only ever known the life of a child of a single-mother, struggling to make ends meet. She envies the children of the wealthy parents whose houses her mother cleans. She can't help but wonder what it must be like to have both parents.
Now that Andrew is due for release from prison, Sophie's dreams of the father she hasn't known since she was five have the chance to become a reality. As she begins to work on building a relationship with him, her mother begins to fear for their safety.
Strange things start to happen. It is clear that somebody is messing with Lindsey. She's scared...and she should be. Somebody is out to get her and she is terrified that Andrew is out to finish what he started all of those years ago.
From start to finish, this story had my full attention. My heart was pounding and I was on the edge of my seat from the time that these strange occurrences began haunting Lindsey, until everything was out in the open. There were quite a few twists and turns along the way. I had my suspicions, but I was definitely surprised by the way things worked out. I didn't piece things together until the author wanted me to.
Overall, this was a fantastic story. If you're in the mood for a thriller/suspense/mystery, then this is a good one. It will definitely make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
February 13, 2025
I picked up Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens and barely put this book down after the story began. This is the first book I've read by her and I'm pretty sure I just found a favorite new author!
*This review may contain spoilers for those who haven't read the book*
At first, I thought for sure this was going to be another domestic abuse story like the movie Enough with Jennifer Lopez. It reminded me so much of the movie, but there's much more going on as the story progresses and it was impossible for me to predict where this story was going.
We start out with a newlywed couple that in the beginning of the relationship was your typical love story. Soon the wife, Lindsey, begins to see that something is not quite right with her husband, Andrew. He starts drinking and the relationship quickly turns abusive. What complicates it even more is that there's a child involved, little Sophie.
What can she do? She needs to leave and she can't figure out how she's going to do it. So, she drugs him, runs, and the result, something completely bizarre- an accident that will send her husband to prison.
The story from here on out is a guessing game that will leave you bewildered. I just couldn't figure it out. Just who is the perpetrator here? We have over a handful of characters and everyone is suspicious! I was so positive that this was going to turn into another Gone Girl with the way the story is so unpredictable. By the time I got to the end, that's about how I felt- shocked and had no idea!
I loved this book and I'm really excited to read more by this author.
5 overflowing stars!
*This review may contain spoilers for those who haven't read the book*
At first, I thought for sure this was going to be another domestic abuse story like the movie Enough with Jennifer Lopez. It reminded me so much of the movie, but there's much more going on as the story progresses and it was impossible for me to predict where this story was going.
We start out with a newlywed couple that in the beginning of the relationship was your typical love story. Soon the wife, Lindsey, begins to see that something is not quite right with her husband, Andrew. He starts drinking and the relationship quickly turns abusive. What complicates it even more is that there's a child involved, little Sophie.
What can she do? She needs to leave and she can't figure out how she's going to do it. So, she drugs him, runs, and the result, something completely bizarre- an accident that will send her husband to prison.
The story from here on out is a guessing game that will leave you bewildered. I just couldn't figure it out. Just who is the perpetrator here? We have over a handful of characters and everyone is suspicious! I was so positive that this was going to turn into another Gone Girl with the way the story is so unpredictable. By the time I got to the end, that's about how I felt- shocked and had no idea!
I loved this book and I'm really excited to read more by this author.
5 overflowing stars!
August 4, 2017
A fantastic domestic thriller 4.5*
Lindsey is a blushing new bride. Married to Andrew, a very handsome, successful owner of a construction firm. Life seems picture-perfect. Of course, there are always the petty disagreements and Andrew does seem to lose his temper rather quickly. But, they are newlyweds after all. Just getting to know each other really. Then things begin to rapidly escalate. Lindsey suddenly finds herself cut off from her friends, forbidden to even look at or engage any male other than her husband. Now she can no longer make excuses for his behavior. There is a daughter to consider. She must find a way out!
Now 10 years later, unbelievably Lindsey is once again fearing for her life and that of her daughter. Does she need to leave her comfortable life and run again? Can she survive yet another escape?
Told from both Lindsey and her daughters’ POV. It flowed seamlessly between present and past. I was quickly caught up in the story-line and found it difficult to put down. This book just flew by!
This is my second domestic violence book in a very short time. And I absolutely loved this one! The fear Lindsey feels is real and palpable. The strength she demonstrates as she fights for her life and to keep her daughter safe is simply awe-inspiring. This book has all the misleading and disturbing elements a domestic thriller should have!
What a fantastic twist! (How did I not see that coming!). Highly recommend!
Lindsey is a blushing new bride. Married to Andrew, a very handsome, successful owner of a construction firm. Life seems picture-perfect. Of course, there are always the petty disagreements and Andrew does seem to lose his temper rather quickly. But, they are newlyweds after all. Just getting to know each other really. Then things begin to rapidly escalate. Lindsey suddenly finds herself cut off from her friends, forbidden to even look at or engage any male other than her husband. Now she can no longer make excuses for his behavior. There is a daughter to consider. She must find a way out!
Now 10 years later, unbelievably Lindsey is once again fearing for her life and that of her daughter. Does she need to leave her comfortable life and run again? Can she survive yet another escape?
Told from both Lindsey and her daughters’ POV. It flowed seamlessly between present and past. I was quickly caught up in the story-line and found it difficult to put down. This book just flew by!
This is my second domestic violence book in a very short time. And I absolutely loved this one! The fear Lindsey feels is real and palpable. The strength she demonstrates as she fights for her life and to keep her daughter safe is simply awe-inspiring. This book has all the misleading and disturbing elements a domestic thriller should have!
What a fantastic twist! (How did I not see that coming!). Highly recommend!
December 29, 2016
"Each day is a new earthquake"!!!
Chevy Stevens fans should be satisfied with this new psychological thriller.
"Never Let You Go"...
*****5 stars from me
Why? -- I never lost interest!!!
Lindsey married Andrew. They had a daughter named Sophie.
Lindsey leaves Andrew after years of an 'extremely' toxic marriage.
SHIT HAPPENS
Lindsay has a girlfriend named Jenny, a boyfriend named Greg, and an exercise trainer named Marcus
Sophie has a close friend named Delancy and a boyfriend named Jared
SHIT HAPPENS
NO SPOILERS FROM ME.... READ IT --ENJOY -- and escape from dirty laundry, cooking, errands, and all the other crappy daily responsibilities you have!
Great Ride! ... Great Mind Game ....NOT TOO SCARY.....JUST GOOD!!!
Thank You St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Chevy Stevens. Happy New Year to You!!!!!
Chevy Stevens fans should be satisfied with this new psychological thriller.
"Never Let You Go"...
*****5 stars from me
Why? -- I never lost interest!!!
Lindsey married Andrew. They had a daughter named Sophie.
Lindsey leaves Andrew after years of an 'extremely' toxic marriage.
SHIT HAPPENS
Lindsay has a girlfriend named Jenny, a boyfriend named Greg, and an exercise trainer named Marcus
Sophie has a close friend named Delancy and a boyfriend named Jared
SHIT HAPPENS
NO SPOILERS FROM ME.... READ IT --ENJOY -- and escape from dirty laundry, cooking, errands, and all the other crappy daily responsibilities you have!
Great Ride! ... Great Mind Game ....NOT TOO SCARY.....JUST GOOD!!!
Thank You St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Chevy Stevens. Happy New Year to You!!!!!
September 6, 2017
I had heard many good things about this novel, and it did not disappoint. This is a gripping psychological thriller treading the domestic territory of fear and abuse. Lindsey Nash marries the good looking and charming Andrew, only to find herself trapped in a nightmare of a marriage. Andrew runs a construction company and his true self begins to be revealed. He is possessive, jealous, controlling, manipulative, abusive and he drinks. Lindsey puts up with him for the sake of her daughter, Sophie, whom she protects from knowing what is going on. However, things change when Andrew begins to draw in Sophie into his disturbing relationship with Lindsey. Lindsey takes Sophie and runs into the night, an inebriated Andrew gives chase but is involved in a fatality that results in him being imprisoned for 10 years. The story is given from the perspective of mother and daughter, Lindsey and Sophie, shifting from the past to the present.
Lindsey now lives in Dogwood Bay, having secured a new hard won life running a cleaning business, has a boyfriend and finds herself drawn to another man. She believes she is a significantly stronger woman than she used to be. Sophie is now 17, feeling bereft by the absence of her father, naively wants to believe the best of him and get to know him, and is unknowingly responsible for Andrew now turning up in their lives. Andrew claims to be a different man wanting to get to know Sophie. Can Lindsey believe him? Fear and dread return to haunt Lindsey's life as she finds herself being stalked, and aware that someone is entering her home. Who is behind these sinister acts? Is it Andrew or someone else?
Chevy Stevens has written a well plotted, twisted and atmospheric story that draws you into the dark, disturbing, and deeply unsettling narrative. It is highly readable, tense, and has you wondering if you can rely on Lindsey. It moves in unexpected directions and has some startling twists. This book focuses on the mother and daughter relationship, marriage, obsession, trust and manipulation. A novel that is much better than so many others that cover the domestic thriller market. An entertaining read that holds the readers attention with ease. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
Lindsey now lives in Dogwood Bay, having secured a new hard won life running a cleaning business, has a boyfriend and finds herself drawn to another man. She believes she is a significantly stronger woman than she used to be. Sophie is now 17, feeling bereft by the absence of her father, naively wants to believe the best of him and get to know him, and is unknowingly responsible for Andrew now turning up in their lives. Andrew claims to be a different man wanting to get to know Sophie. Can Lindsey believe him? Fear and dread return to haunt Lindsey's life as she finds herself being stalked, and aware that someone is entering her home. Who is behind these sinister acts? Is it Andrew or someone else?
Chevy Stevens has written a well plotted, twisted and atmospheric story that draws you into the dark, disturbing, and deeply unsettling narrative. It is highly readable, tense, and has you wondering if you can rely on Lindsey. It moves in unexpected directions and has some startling twists. This book focuses on the mother and daughter relationship, marriage, obsession, trust and manipulation. A novel that is much better than so many others that cover the domestic thriller market. An entertaining read that holds the readers attention with ease. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
August 5, 2018
Sister Reads Review by BRENDA and NORMA
4.5 stars rounded up!
Norma didn’t need to use her twisted mind as much with this one but she still managed to shock Brenda with figuring out the reveal and the details before she did. It adds a shocking twist to a thriller for Brenda that she normally wouldn't of experienced if reading it on her own.
NEVER LET YOU GO by CHEVY STEVENS is an angst driven, chilling, gripping, and suspenseful domestic psychological thriller novel that explores the darkness of love, manipulation, and obsession.
CHEVY STEVENS delivers a well-written and believable story here, with the way that she weaves the story together. We found it to be a refreshing change of pace from your typical story of domestic violence that really stood out for the both of us.
The story is told from shifting points of view from skeptical and struggling Lindsey who is trying to keep herself and her daughter safe and vulnerable Sophie who is too young to understand obsession, fear, and betrayal. What made this story really standout for us was Lindsey’s knowledge of what her husband is capable of and Sophie's desire to find some good in her father. Lindsey’s fear and Sophie’s determination added tension and fear to the story for us.
Brenda was too impatient to wait for the print copy and listened to the audio version of this story. Overall she enjoyed the narrators but has to admit the voice of Sophie did annoy her at times. She would've preferred to have read the book like I did.
We love CHEVY STEVENS novels and the references she makes within her books to places that are both familiar to us. It adds a little extra enjoyment when you recognize the names and places that she has referred to in the story.
NEVER LET YOU GO is an action-packed, fast-paced, and adrenaline pumping read with just the right amount of tension, shocking events, and twist and turns that will keep you guessing right to the very impressive conclusion!! Would recommend!!
All of Brenda & my reviews can be found on our Sister Blog:
http://www.twosisterslostinacoulee.com
4.5 stars rounded up!
Norma didn’t need to use her twisted mind as much with this one but she still managed to shock Brenda with figuring out the reveal and the details before she did. It adds a shocking twist to a thriller for Brenda that she normally wouldn't of experienced if reading it on her own.
NEVER LET YOU GO by CHEVY STEVENS is an angst driven, chilling, gripping, and suspenseful domestic psychological thriller novel that explores the darkness of love, manipulation, and obsession.
CHEVY STEVENS delivers a well-written and believable story here, with the way that she weaves the story together. We found it to be a refreshing change of pace from your typical story of domestic violence that really stood out for the both of us.
The story is told from shifting points of view from skeptical and struggling Lindsey who is trying to keep herself and her daughter safe and vulnerable Sophie who is too young to understand obsession, fear, and betrayal. What made this story really standout for us was Lindsey’s knowledge of what her husband is capable of and Sophie's desire to find some good in her father. Lindsey’s fear and Sophie’s determination added tension and fear to the story for us.
Brenda was too impatient to wait for the print copy and listened to the audio version of this story. Overall she enjoyed the narrators but has to admit the voice of Sophie did annoy her at times. She would've preferred to have read the book like I did.
We love CHEVY STEVENS novels and the references she makes within her books to places that are both familiar to us. It adds a little extra enjoyment when you recognize the names and places that she has referred to in the story.
NEVER LET YOU GO is an action-packed, fast-paced, and adrenaline pumping read with just the right amount of tension, shocking events, and twist and turns that will keep you guessing right to the very impressive conclusion!! Would recommend!!
All of Brenda & my reviews can be found on our Sister Blog:
http://www.twosisterslostinacoulee.com
September 12, 2017
The Butterfly Effect.
Just enough movement of those delicate wings to set powerful actions into profound motion......
Lindsay Nash feels the gentle signs of love with being cast as the center of Andrew's universe. All is bright and all is beautiful as they move into their first home. Andrew, a successful building contractor, has provided a job for her carpenter father and with that the care of her mother who has MS. How fortunate Lindsay is until that marital cup starts to slowly drain through the cracks.
Once the perfect husband, Andrew takes to drinking heavily and is cruelly abusive to Lindsay both emotionally and physically. Fear weighs heavily upon her as she realizes only too well how many lives are dependent on Andrew, including their young daughter, Sophie, who adores her father. With no money and no definitive plan, Lindsay knows that she must escape with Sophie. Her fearful steps trigger those wings into motion and those at the receiving end of these desperate decisions will never, ever be the same.
Chevy Stevens divides her story into three main parts with visitation to the past and existence in the present. Sophie is now on the verge of eighteen and a senior in high school. Lindsay has her own cleaning business and they have moved outside of Vancouver. And Andrew? Well, Andrew has been side-lined for a while. Out of the picture? Not so fast......
When Lindsay starts receiving messages from an unnamed source, anxiety takes a front-row seat once again in her life. Someone has been in her home. Without actual proof, the police can only monitor the situation. The planets have shifted in that solar system and Andrew's planet may once more collide. But how does Andrew know about their whereabouts? And who would reveal such a sacred trust?
Chevy Stevens knows how to ratchet up the toxic chemistry in this one. Man! All I could think of was that thousands and thousands of women live like this every day. So many of them caught in a tragic maze of existence with no light at the end of the tunnel. That's how convincing this storyline is. And Stevens creates characters seemingly from real life who wear false masks and hide behind false personas. When you are living on the fringes of sanity, who can you actually trust?
This was my first Chevy Stevens book. I believe she's found a new fan in me. Written with such realistic perspective, Stevens seems to have had her finger on the pulse of abuse. A highly-charged rendition of the trapped and the powerless who desire only peace and a gentle place to exist. Highly recommend.
Just enough movement of those delicate wings to set powerful actions into profound motion......
Lindsay Nash feels the gentle signs of love with being cast as the center of Andrew's universe. All is bright and all is beautiful as they move into their first home. Andrew, a successful building contractor, has provided a job for her carpenter father and with that the care of her mother who has MS. How fortunate Lindsay is until that marital cup starts to slowly drain through the cracks.
Once the perfect husband, Andrew takes to drinking heavily and is cruelly abusive to Lindsay both emotionally and physically. Fear weighs heavily upon her as she realizes only too well how many lives are dependent on Andrew, including their young daughter, Sophie, who adores her father. With no money and no definitive plan, Lindsay knows that she must escape with Sophie. Her fearful steps trigger those wings into motion and those at the receiving end of these desperate decisions will never, ever be the same.
Chevy Stevens divides her story into three main parts with visitation to the past and existence in the present. Sophie is now on the verge of eighteen and a senior in high school. Lindsay has her own cleaning business and they have moved outside of Vancouver. And Andrew? Well, Andrew has been side-lined for a while. Out of the picture? Not so fast......
When Lindsay starts receiving messages from an unnamed source, anxiety takes a front-row seat once again in her life. Someone has been in her home. Without actual proof, the police can only monitor the situation. The planets have shifted in that solar system and Andrew's planet may once more collide. But how does Andrew know about their whereabouts? And who would reveal such a sacred trust?
Chevy Stevens knows how to ratchet up the toxic chemistry in this one. Man! All I could think of was that thousands and thousands of women live like this every day. So many of them caught in a tragic maze of existence with no light at the end of the tunnel. That's how convincing this storyline is. And Stevens creates characters seemingly from real life who wear false masks and hide behind false personas. When you are living on the fringes of sanity, who can you actually trust?
This was my first Chevy Stevens book. I believe she's found a new fan in me. Written with such realistic perspective, Stevens seems to have had her finger on the pulse of abuse. A highly-charged rendition of the trapped and the powerless who desire only peace and a gentle place to exist. Highly recommend.
February 7, 2017
Never Let You Go had my heart pounding! Filled with tension and twists and turns, I couldn’t put it down. It’s dark, disturbing, creepy and action packed. It made me so paranoid that one night when I was up late reading, I actually got up to see if someone was in my house. I learned my lesson--this is not a book to be read late at night!
Lindsey Nash fled her abusive husband, Andrew, in order to protect her young daughter, Sophie. Fast-forward eleven years: Andrew is released from prison and Lindsey is convinced that he is going to kill her. Lindsey’s home is broken into and some other creepy stalker like events occur, convincing Lindsey more than ever that Andrew will stop at no end. However, Andrew is adamant that he is a changed man and that someone else is putting Lindsey and Sophie in danger. As you read, you will begin to question all characters. Is Paul really the one going after Lindsey? Or is there someone else trying to hurt her?
The narrative flashes back and forth between past and present and alternates between Lindsey and Sophie’s POV’s, which contributes to shining suspicion on multiple characters.
My only complaint was that ending/reveal turned Never Let You Go into a bit of a lifetime movie
Overall, this was an entertaining enjoyable read--just don’t read late at night if you scare easily!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Lindsey Nash fled her abusive husband, Andrew, in order to protect her young daughter, Sophie. Fast-forward eleven years: Andrew is released from prison and Lindsey is convinced that he is going to kill her. Lindsey’s home is broken into and some other creepy stalker like events occur, convincing Lindsey more than ever that Andrew will stop at no end. However, Andrew is adamant that he is a changed man and that someone else is putting Lindsey and Sophie in danger. As you read, you will begin to question all characters. Is Paul really the one going after Lindsey? Or is there someone else trying to hurt her?
The narrative flashes back and forth between past and present and alternates between Lindsey and Sophie’s POV’s, which contributes to shining suspicion on multiple characters.
My only complaint was that ending/reveal turned Never Let You Go into a bit of a lifetime movie
Overall, this was an entertaining enjoyable read--just don’t read late at night if you scare easily!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2017
I am late to the party with this book. It has been reviewed to death but what I will say about "Never Let You Go" is that I didn't guess the ending. That was worth 1/2 a star bumping this from a 3.5 to a 4 Star novel!
I listened to the audio. It was not the greatest. I give it 3 Stars. One narrator was much better than the other. I was able to stay with the book only because it was well written, interesting and I wanted to see what happened. I recommend going with a hardcopy.
This is the second Chevy Stevens novel that I have finished. I absolutely loved "Still Missing". That magic is not in this book. I expected it because I read it in a GR review. Go in knowing you are getting a descent thriller with a familiar theme and you probably won't be disappointed!
I listened to the audio. It was not the greatest. I give it 3 Stars. One narrator was much better than the other. I was able to stay with the book only because it was well written, interesting and I wanted to see what happened. I recommend going with a hardcopy.
This is the second Chevy Stevens novel that I have finished. I absolutely loved "Still Missing". That magic is not in this book. I expected it because I read it in a GR review. Go in knowing you are getting a descent thriller with a familiar theme and you probably won't be disappointed!
April 4, 2017
It's official I am a Chevy Stevens fan. I really enjoyed this book. I kept changing my mind on "who was to blame". I liked how the author made me dislike and then turn around to really like some of the characters. My opinion kept changing. Lol.
March 9, 2017
NEVER LET YOU GO by talented author Chevy Stevens, (author of Still Missing), is a fast-paced psychological thriller with alternating POVs and twists and turns that will satisfy fans of psychological thrillers and keep them guessing until the end. This novel is due for release in March 2017. I loved it!
This novel focuses on domestic abuse and the impact it has on family and relationships.
Lindsey flees with her daughter Sophie, from her abusive, alcoholic controlling husband, Andrew after suffering years of mental and physical abuse. Even when he was sober, he was jealous and cruel and threatened to hurt her if she ever left him. When he starts using their daughter Sophie as a pawn, Lindsey must step in to protect her child.
“Our marriage isn’t working. I’m not happy. You’re drinking all the time-and Sophie sees, she knows. You won’t let me do anything. You’re so controlling. I feel like I’m suffocating.”
Her ex-husband, Andrew had gotten into a car accident when he had been drinking and someone had died, and he was sent to jail…and Lindsey and her daughter start over with a new life. But Andrew is eventually released.
And then strange things start to happen to her and she involved the police again. Lindsey believes that she has cut all ties. There is no way that he can ever find her or her daughter again! Lindsey runs a cleaning business, and she thinks that she is being stalked by her ex-husband. Andrew has always liked to play mind games!
But someone is watching her…tracking her every move. Her new boyfriend is threatened and her home is invaded. Will she have to move again?
This novel is told from 2 POV (Lindsey and Sophie) and alternating between past and present tense. The character development was excellent. I admired Lindsey’s strength and the strong bond between mother and daughter. I also enjoyed Sophie's point of view, and teenage perspective on life. There was so much to this novel to like.
Another winner from Chevy Stevens.
Many thanks to Chevy Stevens, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
This novel focuses on domestic abuse and the impact it has on family and relationships.
Lindsey flees with her daughter Sophie, from her abusive, alcoholic controlling husband, Andrew after suffering years of mental and physical abuse. Even when he was sober, he was jealous and cruel and threatened to hurt her if she ever left him. When he starts using their daughter Sophie as a pawn, Lindsey must step in to protect her child.
“Our marriage isn’t working. I’m not happy. You’re drinking all the time-and Sophie sees, she knows. You won’t let me do anything. You’re so controlling. I feel like I’m suffocating.”
Her ex-husband, Andrew had gotten into a car accident when he had been drinking and someone had died, and he was sent to jail…and Lindsey and her daughter start over with a new life. But Andrew is eventually released.
And then strange things start to happen to her and she involved the police again. Lindsey believes that she has cut all ties. There is no way that he can ever find her or her daughter again! Lindsey runs a cleaning business, and she thinks that she is being stalked by her ex-husband. Andrew has always liked to play mind games!
But someone is watching her…tracking her every move. Her new boyfriend is threatened and her home is invaded. Will she have to move again?
This novel is told from 2 POV (Lindsey and Sophie) and alternating between past and present tense. The character development was excellent. I admired Lindsey’s strength and the strong bond between mother and daughter. I also enjoyed Sophie's point of view, and teenage perspective on life. There was so much to this novel to like.
Another winner from Chevy Stevens.
Many thanks to Chevy Stevens, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
February 6, 2017
Whoa boy, that got unexpectedly intense. And surprising.
As the story opens our protagonist Lindsay Nash is on vacation with her husband Andrew and their 7 year old daughter Sophie. To all outward appearances they are a happy little family enjoying their time in the sun at a beautiful resort in Mexico, but appearances can be deceiving. Lindsay is not at all relaxed. She has a knot in her stomach and her tension grows with each drink her husband finishes. She is making every effort to not break any of his rules or do anything that will trigger Andrew’s rage. She wants so bad for Sophie at least, to be able to enjoy herself, but clearly it is not meant to be. As she accidently brushes fingers with her waiter, she can see the tell tale signs in Andrew’s demeanor. Signs she knows all too well.
Still Linday holds on, she only needs to get through the next little while and once they are home again, hopefully her and Sophie can make her carefully planned, secret escape from her controlling, abusive husband.
The night of their escape, unbeknown to Lindsay at the time, Andrew does awaken from his drunken stupor and gives chase. He is involved in a car accident that claims another life. Clearly still intoxicated, Andrew is charged with vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Lindsay and Sophie have picked up the pieces and built a new life for themselves in a small community, where Lindsay has started a cleaning company and Sophie is in her final year of high school. They are not rich, by any means, but they have a comfortable home and much to look forward to.
But now Andrew has been released from prison and strange things are beginning to happen where Lindsay works and lives. Things that remind her of the time she spent in fear of Andrew.
Most of the story then is told from Lindsay’s or Sophie’s point of view as they each in their own way try to understand what or who is behind the disturbing events that only begin after Andrew’s release.
In the beginning I will admit I was pretty sure I knew where this story was going. Still I kept reading even though my spirits were a little damp and lo and behold other little things began to consume my attention, in unexpected ways and before I knew it I was gulping down the words, turning the pages fast and furious to see how this was all going to play out.
A cracking good story. Great characters. Fantastic pacing.
This is my first ever Chevy Stevens and I am happy to report she has a new fan here. I am definitely checking out some of her other work and will keep her future releases on my radar.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Chevy Stevens and netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.
Release date March 14, 2017.
As the story opens our protagonist Lindsay Nash is on vacation with her husband Andrew and their 7 year old daughter Sophie. To all outward appearances they are a happy little family enjoying their time in the sun at a beautiful resort in Mexico, but appearances can be deceiving. Lindsay is not at all relaxed. She has a knot in her stomach and her tension grows with each drink her husband finishes. She is making every effort to not break any of his rules or do anything that will trigger Andrew’s rage. She wants so bad for Sophie at least, to be able to enjoy herself, but clearly it is not meant to be. As she accidently brushes fingers with her waiter, she can see the tell tale signs in Andrew’s demeanor. Signs she knows all too well.
Still Linday holds on, she only needs to get through the next little while and once they are home again, hopefully her and Sophie can make her carefully planned, secret escape from her controlling, abusive husband.
The night of their escape, unbeknown to Lindsay at the time, Andrew does awaken from his drunken stupor and gives chase. He is involved in a car accident that claims another life. Clearly still intoxicated, Andrew is charged with vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Lindsay and Sophie have picked up the pieces and built a new life for themselves in a small community, where Lindsay has started a cleaning company and Sophie is in her final year of high school. They are not rich, by any means, but they have a comfortable home and much to look forward to.
But now Andrew has been released from prison and strange things are beginning to happen where Lindsay works and lives. Things that remind her of the time she spent in fear of Andrew.
Most of the story then is told from Lindsay’s or Sophie’s point of view as they each in their own way try to understand what or who is behind the disturbing events that only begin after Andrew’s release.
In the beginning I will admit I was pretty sure I knew where this story was going. Still I kept reading even though my spirits were a little damp and lo and behold other little things began to consume my attention, in unexpected ways and before I knew it I was gulping down the words, turning the pages fast and furious to see how this was all going to play out.
A cracking good story. Great characters. Fantastic pacing.
This is my first ever Chevy Stevens and I am happy to report she has a new fan here. I am definitely checking out some of her other work and will keep her future releases on my radar.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Chevy Stevens and netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel.
Release date March 14, 2017.
March 27, 2018
Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash got the Hell out of dodge, when she escaped from her abusive husband. She was able to take her young daughter and leave. Her husband, Andrew, who has been abusing Lindsey for years, attempts to follow her as she escapes with their daughter. In his attempts to catch her, he hits another car, killing the other driver. While her husband is incarcerated, Lindsey can start a new life and even a career. She believes everything in her life is good, until the day her ex-husband is released from prison.
When Andrew's release from prison, Lindsey begins to feel like she is being watched, things are moved, her current boyfriend is hit by a truck, someone has been in her home, her dog is poisoned, and there is a sens of unease in the air. To top off the stress her teenage daughter is in a "relationship" herself which Lindsey does not feel quite right about as the teen reminds her of her ex-husband. Sprinkle on the fact, that her daughter has been seeing her father behind her Mother's back. When Lindsey finds this out, her stress and worries double.
Andrew, for his part, claims he is a changed man. He wants to re-build a relationship with his daughter. He wants to make nice with his ex-wife. He claims that he has not done anything wrong. He is trying to be a better man. But has he changed? Is he Innocent? Could there be someone else who wants to stir the hornet's nest?
This book was a real page turner for me. I really enjoyed it and looked forward to reading it. I don't want to say anything else about the plot but that there were several twists and turns which kept me guessing and kept the book interesting. While reading the book, I thought "He is the one behind it" only learn I was wrong. Which is a good thing. I love when a writer can surprise me. I LOVE when I am just as SHOCKED as the characters in the book when the REVEAL occurs.
I think this is a book most people would enjoy. Yes, there are a couple of scenes of domestic violence but nothing else is graphic or too over the top in this book. I loved the suspense in this book and how the Author built the suspense until the REVEAL at the end. It was nice to be left wanting more. I love when I get to put my detective hat on while reading!
This was my first Chevy Stevens book, but it will not be my last. I am now off to BINGE read some of her other books.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
When Andrew's release from prison, Lindsey begins to feel like she is being watched, things are moved, her current boyfriend is hit by a truck, someone has been in her home, her dog is poisoned, and there is a sens of unease in the air. To top off the stress her teenage daughter is in a "relationship" herself which Lindsey does not feel quite right about as the teen reminds her of her ex-husband. Sprinkle on the fact, that her daughter has been seeing her father behind her Mother's back. When Lindsey finds this out, her stress and worries double.
Andrew, for his part, claims he is a changed man. He wants to re-build a relationship with his daughter. He wants to make nice with his ex-wife. He claims that he has not done anything wrong. He is trying to be a better man. But has he changed? Is he Innocent? Could there be someone else who wants to stir the hornet's nest?
This book was a real page turner for me. I really enjoyed it and looked forward to reading it. I don't want to say anything else about the plot but that there were several twists and turns which kept me guessing and kept the book interesting. While reading the book, I thought "He is the one behind it" only learn I was wrong. Which is a good thing. I love when a writer can surprise me. I LOVE when I am just as SHOCKED as the characters in the book when the REVEAL occurs.
I think this is a book most people would enjoy. Yes, there are a couple of scenes of domestic violence but nothing else is graphic or too over the top in this book. I loved the suspense in this book and how the Author built the suspense until the REVEAL at the end. It was nice to be left wanting more. I love when I get to put my detective hat on while reading!
This was my first Chevy Stevens book, but it will not be my last. I am now off to BINGE read some of her other books.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
October 8, 2016
I am so grateful to St. Martin’s Press and the author for allowing me to read an electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
“Never Let You Go” is the newest novel by Chevy Stevens (due out in March 2017). This novel focuses on a woman named Lindsay, who escapes with her young daughter the night her alcoholic, abusive husband is arrested and put in jail. When he is released years later, Lindsay and Sophie are happily living their new life. Suddenly, Lindsay’s boyfriend is receiving threats, she fears she is being followed and strange items start showing up in her home- items that remind Lindsay of her marriage with Andrew. Lindsay begins to question her and her daughter’s safety- has her ex-husband found her? Does he want her back? Is he really a “changed man” or will he stop at nothing to reunite with the family he lost?
As is typical in a Stevens’s novel, every page is an addictive thrill-ride that leaves the reader questioning who to trust. The storyline is gripping and emotionally charged, from one page-turning chapter to another. Every character is honest and raw, and the plot never gives up on the drama and intensity.
Steven’s showcases her writing chops in this novel, highlighting her creative talent and powerful ability to turn a wicked tale. Although this is the sixth novel for Stevens, she does not disappoint. In fact, her prowess seems to only grow.
I devoured this book from page one, while running through the gamut of emotions that only Stevens’ novels can generate. With surprises at every turn (and the biggest one, of course, being at the novel’s suspense-ridden conclusion), this novel will keep a reader guessing until the last page. A definite favourite for Steven’s fans and one I will highly recommend to any and all!
“Never Let You Go” is the newest novel by Chevy Stevens (due out in March 2017). This novel focuses on a woman named Lindsay, who escapes with her young daughter the night her alcoholic, abusive husband is arrested and put in jail. When he is released years later, Lindsay and Sophie are happily living their new life. Suddenly, Lindsay’s boyfriend is receiving threats, she fears she is being followed and strange items start showing up in her home- items that remind Lindsay of her marriage with Andrew. Lindsay begins to question her and her daughter’s safety- has her ex-husband found her? Does he want her back? Is he really a “changed man” or will he stop at nothing to reunite with the family he lost?
As is typical in a Stevens’s novel, every page is an addictive thrill-ride that leaves the reader questioning who to trust. The storyline is gripping and emotionally charged, from one page-turning chapter to another. Every character is honest and raw, and the plot never gives up on the drama and intensity.
Steven’s showcases her writing chops in this novel, highlighting her creative talent and powerful ability to turn a wicked tale. Although this is the sixth novel for Stevens, she does not disappoint. In fact, her prowess seems to only grow.
I devoured this book from page one, while running through the gamut of emotions that only Stevens’ novels can generate. With surprises at every turn (and the biggest one, of course, being at the novel’s suspense-ridden conclusion), this novel will keep a reader guessing until the last page. A definite favourite for Steven’s fans and one I will highly recommend to any and all!
May 23, 2017
3.5 stars!
I just thought this book was just O.K. to me. It did keep me turning the pages and I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen next but the domestic abuse just made me cringe and I felt very uncomfortable. I can put up with a lot in psychological and dark thrillers but I have found out that I cannot put up with domestic abuse and will be staying away from these kind of thrillers in the future. I did think this was very well written and I will be looking forward to reading other books by Chevy Stevens. I did love the twists and found it to be very unpredictable. I did love the ending. There are plenty of red herrings. I found this to be a very quick read and a page turner. This is a very intense read.
Never Let You Go focuses on domestic abuse and the impact it has on those involved. Eleven years ago, Lindsay
escaped an abusive marriage, moving on with her life and her daughter's with her husband behind bars. When he is released and comes looking to connect, bad things start to happen.
I did think that the author did a great job with her characters I found them to be flawed and a complicated mess. All the characters were believable and easy to imagine. They were very well developed in the story. I of course did not like Andrew. I found him to be very possessive, jealous, controlling and very insecure which are the character defects of most alcoholics like him. I did like Lindsay and Sophie.
I do recommend this book to those that enjoy an intense domestic abuse thriller.
I want to thank Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Chevy Stevens for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
March 5, 2017
4.5 Stars. Another winner for Chevy Stevens!
Andrew is a creepy-scary dude who believes his wife Lindsey is a possession to be controlled. He is obsessively jealous to the point of ridiculous and when he begins to drink, oh boy, he becomes cruel and violent.....except to daughter Sophie.
"Your dad loved to scare me."
Chevy Stevens' story of a marriage gone bad is NOT like so many others I've read with a similar theme, but has more than one mysterious and thrilling spin that takes the reader in various directions that certainly kept me guessing throughout the story. Even when I was sure I knew the outcome of the story, I was thrown yet another curveball leading me elsewhere.
I've read and enjoyed several Stevens' novels, and except for the mild animal cruelty, NEVER LET YOU GO is now a new favorite.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 2, 2017
Well I've had several days to let this read percolate in my brain, and I'm happy to say this still stands as a solid 4.5 star rating from me.
The plot isn't anything new. Lindsay's true love/husband Andrew turns out to be an insecure bully who's mental and physical abuse continues to progress throughout the years. When he starts using their daughter Sophie as a pawn, Lindsay realizes she needs to leave, in anyway possible.
It's this action that triggers events that will forever change all of their lives....
Told from 2 POV (Lindsay and Sophie) and bouncing from past and present tense, here is where this book differs from most others with the same theme.
Stevens is a genius at drawing the reader into these characters lives with descriptive and realistic scenarios. I felt the emotion coming off Lindsay as she struggles with such hard decisions. I felt the pull of a child who desperately wants to find the good in her Father. I liked the balance Stevens gave between the dark moments as well as the things that were going right in their lives. I found myself rooting for their happiness, and getting angry when it was threatened.
Any author that can get that kind of response from me is a star in my book!
I highly recommend this and most any Chevy Stevens read...You won't be disappointed!
ARC provided by NetGalley
The plot isn't anything new. Lindsay's true love/husband Andrew turns out to be an insecure bully who's mental and physical abuse continues to progress throughout the years. When he starts using their daughter Sophie as a pawn, Lindsay realizes she needs to leave, in anyway possible.
It's this action that triggers events that will forever change all of their lives....
Told from 2 POV (Lindsay and Sophie) and bouncing from past and present tense, here is where this book differs from most others with the same theme.
Stevens is a genius at drawing the reader into these characters lives with descriptive and realistic scenarios. I felt the emotion coming off Lindsay as she struggles with such hard decisions. I felt the pull of a child who desperately wants to find the good in her Father. I liked the balance Stevens gave between the dark moments as well as the things that were going right in their lives. I found myself rooting for their happiness, and getting angry when it was threatened.
Any author that can get that kind of response from me is a star in my book!
I highly recommend this and most any Chevy Stevens read...You won't be disappointed!
ARC provided by NetGalley
April 1, 2017
This was my first Chevy Stevens novel, and I admit that I waited for a couple of trusted friends to finish with their reviews, before deciding whether or not to read it. I enjoyed the format, with alternating chapters of Lindsey and her daughter, Sophie, and switching from past to present throughout the storyline.
The book begins in the past, with a brief look at the effects of the extreme abuse Lindsey has suffered from her husband, Andrew. Then quickly forwards eleven years to the present where a divorced Lindsay and 16-year old Sophie are dealing with their lives, after moving away and making a new start.
Andrew has served 10 years in prison for manslaughter, which occurred while he was searching for Lindsey and Sophie, after they escaped from him in the middle of the night. He is being released soon and has "supposedly" turned his life around.
Out of the 404 pages, there was not one that would allow me a deep breath of air. At one point, I was seriously looking forward to a lull, i.e., drifting thoughts of mental grocery lists; having an old tune float through my head; nodding off into slumber, but I was still flipping pages and literally had a continuous knot in my stomach right till the end.
Would I read another Chevy Stevens novel? I already purchased one, but it's going to have to sit on my shelf for awhile, because I feel like "Never Let You Go" (great title for this book) is still hanging on to me, and I can't shake it loose. This book wore me out.
Highly recommend for those who love psychological thrillers.
The book begins in the past, with a brief look at the effects of the extreme abuse Lindsey has suffered from her husband, Andrew. Then quickly forwards eleven years to the present where a divorced Lindsay and 16-year old Sophie are dealing with their lives, after moving away and making a new start.
Andrew has served 10 years in prison for manslaughter, which occurred while he was searching for Lindsey and Sophie, after they escaped from him in the middle of the night. He is being released soon and has "supposedly" turned his life around.
Out of the 404 pages, there was not one that would allow me a deep breath of air. At one point, I was seriously looking forward to a lull, i.e., drifting thoughts of mental grocery lists; having an old tune float through my head; nodding off into slumber, but I was still flipping pages and literally had a continuous knot in my stomach right till the end.
Would I read another Chevy Stevens novel? I already purchased one, but it's going to have to sit on my shelf for awhile, because I feel like "Never Let You Go" (great title for this book) is still hanging on to me, and I can't shake it loose. This book wore me out.
Highly recommend for those who love psychological thrillers.
March 2, 2017
Her marriage to Andrew had been wonderful at first – but during her pregnancy, and after Sophie was born, Lindsey noticed subtle changes. Andrew became possessive; she no longer had any friends; and he started to drink. But her parents and brother thought Andrew was wonderful – he was that good an actor. Finally when Sophie was five – after giving Andrew more chances than Lindsey could remember – she fled with Sophie in the dead of night. After a long period in hiding, and to her immense relief, Andrew was sent to jail.
Eleven years later Andrew was once again out on the streets – free to harass; free to play his mind games with Lindsey all over again. She was frightened – but more so for Sophie who was an impressionable teenager and had no memory of the terror her father had inflicted on her mother. Would Sophie contact her father? Or would he contact her? Lindsey begged her not to see or speak to him, but Sophie had a mind of her own – she wanted to know her father…
Lindsey’s nightmares were coming true once again – she knew Andrew was stalking her; getting into her home when they weren’t there. Lindsey knew they couldn’t continue running – Sophie’s final year in school was important and she also wanted her own life – a life without constantly looking over her shoulder. Would it ever happen? Would they ever know peace and happiness?
Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens is another mind-blowing psychological thriller that I just couldn’t put down! What an amazing WOW factor this book has! I can’t believe how good this author is at getting into the mind of a psychopath and leaking it out, word by word, to soak into the reader’s mind! Brilliant! And highly recommended to all fans of the genre…
With thanks to St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for this digital copy to read and review.
Eleven years later Andrew was once again out on the streets – free to harass; free to play his mind games with Lindsey all over again. She was frightened – but more so for Sophie who was an impressionable teenager and had no memory of the terror her father had inflicted on her mother. Would Sophie contact her father? Or would he contact her? Lindsey begged her not to see or speak to him, but Sophie had a mind of her own – she wanted to know her father…
Lindsey’s nightmares were coming true once again – she knew Andrew was stalking her; getting into her home when they weren’t there. Lindsey knew they couldn’t continue running – Sophie’s final year in school was important and she also wanted her own life – a life without constantly looking over her shoulder. Would it ever happen? Would they ever know peace and happiness?
Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens is another mind-blowing psychological thriller that I just couldn’t put down! What an amazing WOW factor this book has! I can’t believe how good this author is at getting into the mind of a psychopath and leaking it out, word by word, to soak into the reader’s mind! Brilliant! And highly recommended to all fans of the genre…
With thanks to St Martin’s Press via NetGalley for this digital copy to read and review.
March 26, 2017
This is the third book that I have read by this author, and it's another good thriller. Ms. Stevens doesn't disappoint.
Lindsay, marries young, to a man who ends up being very controlling, jealous, and later.. abusive. She has a young daughter, Sophie..and feels she must escape.
This is their story told in alternating chapters by mother and daughter.
Lindsay, marries young, to a man who ends up being very controlling, jealous, and later.. abusive. She has a young daughter, Sophie..and feels she must escape.
This is their story told in alternating chapters by mother and daughter.
April 15, 2017
The mystery revolves around Lindsay, her ex-husband, Andrew, who just got out of prison, and their teenage daughter Sophie. The POV switches between these three in alternating chapters, with some flashbacks to the past. Lindsay now thinks she’s being stalked and fears she is in danger. But from who? She thinks it's her ex-husband, but who is telling the truth and who is lying? There are a lot of red herrings and at one time or another I suspected just about everyone. I wouldn’t call it an edge-of-your-seat thriller but it was enjoyable and I was invested enough to want to know who it was. I didn’t buy into a few plot threads But, if these can be overlooked it’s a quick, highly readable book.
So why the 3 stars? Partly the spoilers I listed above, and partly because I REALLY dislike teen characters in books. It’s just my thing. I only like them if they aren't into teen culture. I didn’t enjoy Sophie’s thought processes, the dumb things she did, and the teen romance sections of the book (blech). If I had known the book went down that route I wouldn’t have picked it up. Plus, I listened to this on a long drive and the narrator for Sophie was so annoying it made me want to scream.
I’m obviously the outlier here and I think if there hadn’t been teenager issues and drama in the book I would have enjoyed it much more. It’s just me. But for others who have the same problems with teens as I do, you’ve been warned.
So why the 3 stars? Partly the spoilers I listed above, and partly because I REALLY dislike teen characters in books. It’s just my thing. I only like them if they aren't into teen culture. I didn’t enjoy Sophie’s thought processes, the dumb things she did, and the teen romance sections of the book (blech). If I had known the book went down that route I wouldn’t have picked it up. Plus, I listened to this on a long drive and the narrator for Sophie was so annoying it made me want to scream.
I’m obviously the outlier here and I think if there hadn’t been teenager issues and drama in the book I would have enjoyed it much more. It’s just me. But for others who have the same problems with teens as I do, you’ve been warned.
April 13, 2017
Sister Read with Norma
4.5 Stars
I was too impatient to wait to get the print copy from Norma so I decided to listen to the audio version of Never Let You Go. I enjoyed it for the most part but do have to admit the voice of Sophie did annoy me a bit. I probably would've preferred to have read it instead of listening to it.
Full sister review on Norma's reviews.
If you are interested it can also be found on our blog as well
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
4.5 Stars
I was too impatient to wait to get the print copy from Norma so I decided to listen to the audio version of Never Let You Go. I enjoyed it for the most part but do have to admit the voice of Sophie did annoy me a bit. I probably would've preferred to have read it instead of listening to it.
Full sister review on Norma's reviews.
If you are interested it can also be found on our blog as well
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
March 12, 2017
I had a couple of experiences with Chevy Stevens' psychological thrillers before Never Let You Go. I really struggled with Still Missing. I was impressed -- but felt like I'd been through the wringer-- with Those Girls. And Never Let You Go felt like another experience altogether. Set in two different time frames, Never Let You Go focuses on Lindsey and her daughter Sophie. The first time frame has Lindsey in an abusive marriage that we know she manages to escape. The later time frame shows Lindsey at a time when she and Sophie (who is now a teenager) seem to be doing well -- "seem" being the operative word. I won't say more about the story to avoid spoilers. This was not a sit on the edge of my seat experience, but I still really enjoyed it -- it felt more like a mystery than a thriller. The strength of this one for me is that Stevens did a good job with the dynamics between Lindsey and her daughter, and all of the people around them. The who behind what happens was not a huge surprise but the why was, and it was clever. This was a good readable page turner, but it wasn't as tense as The Girls -- for me, this isn't a complaint but it may be for others. For those who may be concerned about reading this one, there is some violence but it's not extensive or particularly graphic. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
November 1, 2017
I would rate this one 3.5 stars/ I listened to audio and read many of the chapters at home!
This book gave me vibes of the movie starring Julia Roberts, Sleeping With The Enemy! A domestic thriller about an emotionally abusive and controlling husband, Andrew and his wife, Lindsey. They have a daughter, Sophie, who Andrew uses to further "control" and induce fear unto Lindsey.
Lindsey comes up with a plan and eventually escapes with her daughter while Andrew is passed out on the couch. Fast forward eleven years , Andrew is prison and Lindsey and Sophie are enjoying their new lives without the constant abuse from Andrew. That is until he gets released from prison and returns to the area they are living.
Sophie is a teenager now and Lindsey has a new boyfriend. Strange things begin to happen after Andrews release and Lindsey has the "intuition" that Andrew has been in her house and has been "watching" her. She doesn't believe he has changed or will ever leave them alone.
A jaw-dropping twist is later revealed that I never saw coming and really surprised me although in the end the story didn't really capture me! I enjoyed it, but certainly not a favorite.
This book gave me vibes of the movie starring Julia Roberts, Sleeping With The Enemy! A domestic thriller about an emotionally abusive and controlling husband, Andrew and his wife, Lindsey. They have a daughter, Sophie, who Andrew uses to further "control" and induce fear unto Lindsey.
Lindsey comes up with a plan and eventually escapes with her daughter while Andrew is passed out on the couch. Fast forward eleven years , Andrew is prison and Lindsey and Sophie are enjoying their new lives without the constant abuse from Andrew. That is until he gets released from prison and returns to the area they are living.
Sophie is a teenager now and Lindsey has a new boyfriend. Strange things begin to happen after Andrews release and Lindsey has the "intuition" that Andrew has been in her house and has been "watching" her. She doesn't believe he has changed or will ever leave them alone.
A jaw-dropping twist is later revealed that I never saw coming and really surprised me although in the end the story didn't really capture me! I enjoyed it, but certainly not a favorite.
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