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First Date
She’s been waiting her whole life to meet a man like Alex. But he’s been waiting too. And once he has her, he’ll never let her go…
Hannah has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure. A long way from her unstable childhood growing up in foster care, she’s content with her sweet, little, messy apartment and her satisfying job as a social worker. She quietly worries that, aged 36, she might never fall in love. But otherwise her life is where she wants it to be.
Until, encouraged by her best friend to join a dating app, she meets Alex. He’s irresistibly handsome. He loves the same music as her. The same food as well. They both dream of travelling the world but agree they’d be equally happy escaping to a cottage by the beach in Devon. Both of them would love to own a Labrador one day. It’s like he’s made for her. It’s like he’s too good to be true.
Hannah’s friends aren’t so sure about him. But Hannah thinks he’s perfect.
Which is good. Because Alex knows she’s perfect for him too. In fact, she’s exactly the girl he’s been looking for…
And nothing Hannah’s done to make her life safe will ever be enough.
A gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller about dark obsession and internet dating. Fans of The Wife Between Us, Friend Request and Gone Girl will adore this unputdownable twisted love story.
Hannah has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure. A long way from her unstable childhood growing up in foster care, she’s content with her sweet, little, messy apartment and her satisfying job as a social worker. She quietly worries that, aged 36, she might never fall in love. But otherwise her life is where she wants it to be.
Until, encouraged by her best friend to join a dating app, she meets Alex. He’s irresistibly handsome. He loves the same music as her. The same food as well. They both dream of travelling the world but agree they’d be equally happy escaping to a cottage by the beach in Devon. Both of them would love to own a Labrador one day. It’s like he’s made for her. It’s like he’s too good to be true.
Hannah’s friends aren’t so sure about him. But Hannah thinks he’s perfect.
Which is good. Because Alex knows she’s perfect for him too. In fact, she’s exactly the girl he’s been looking for…
And nothing Hannah’s done to make her life safe will ever be enough.
A gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller about dark obsession and internet dating. Fans of The Wife Between Us, Friend Request and Gone Girl will adore this unputdownable twisted love story.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2020
3180 people are currently reading
4517 people want to read
About the author
Sue Watson
37 books1,442 followersSue Watson was a TV Producer at the BBC until she wrote her first book and was hooked.
Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has sold almost 2 million books and explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists. Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.
For up-to-date offers and news of Sue's latest books, click the 'Follow' button next to her photo on Amazon.
Sue would love to meet you on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks
And on Instagram @suewatsonbooks
Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue has sold almost 2 million books and explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists. Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing – and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.
For up-to-date offers and news of Sue's latest books, click the 'Follow' button next to her photo on Amazon.
Sue would love to meet you on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/suewatsonbooks
And on Instagram @suewatsonbooks
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 876 reviews
June 5, 2025
Somebody help me now! This book confused the hell out of me! How can a book start as two-starred, below-average reading ( no thanks to the disliking heroine) and end as five-starred? WTH, this is deliciously twisty and smart reading; it blew my mind!
Yes, I hate the guts of the heroine. I wanted to punch her several times. I want to hire Cobra Kai members and their sensei Johnny Lawrence to beat the sh*t out of her! ( because their motto is “no mercy”)
Dear Hannah acted like the most brainless, naïve, and dumb woman in literature history. She fell in love with the guy on their first date, started planning their grandchildren’s wedding menu during their dinner, ignoring the good-to-be-true signs. She had to move her head up to see the neon signs above Alex’s head that told her he was a bad guy, duh! Throughout my read, I actually heard Billy Eilish’s song blast from the speakers ( later I found out my bestie Ashley had turned on the music so loud to attract my attention. But it fit with my reading chapters! So I didn’t care!)
At first, I thought she didn’t belong in a thriller. She truly deserves a place in a chic lit or melodramatic rom-com or fairytale ( she can be the estranged cousin of Snow White or the step-sister of Frozen’s Elsa).
She already had a problematic breakup with her ex, Tom. Now she thinks he sent her flowers with a threatening note and thinks somebody broke into her car! But all those things started to happen after her first date with Alex.
I’m not going to give more clues. But I have to admit: Alex did so many unacceptable things, and Hannah acted like a loyal puppy, finding excuses for his behavior. It repeated over and over! I plan to DNF this one! But my instincts tell me I have to finish it because the author’s previous book, “ Sister in Law,” was one of my favorite reads of this year, and I was still so sure she’s extremely smart enough to rock my world with a big twist. And she did.
I fell in love with the last 10% of the book and I hated the rest of it.
So should I give an average of 3.5 stars ( 2 stars for 90% and 5 stars for 10%), rounding up to 4, or let it stay at 3 stars because I still find the heroine ultra illogical, punchable, and annoying?
I think the heroine ruined my mood. This was still fast, easy, riveting reading, and I love the author’s flawed, dysfunctional characterizations, twisty revelations, and the ending was marvelous, but it could be more enjoyable reading for me with less detestable MCs.
Don’t get me wrong! This is still a good read with great potential and clever, unexpected twists. It’s still better than most thrillers I’ve read this year. And I still like to read the upcoming works of the author, but this book could be a little better without too many repetitive, angsty argument chapters between Hannah and Alex, and it would be nice to be introduced to a heroine with a backbone.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this gripping arc with me in exchange fo my honest opinions.
Yes, I hate the guts of the heroine. I wanted to punch her several times. I want to hire Cobra Kai members and their sensei Johnny Lawrence to beat the sh*t out of her! ( because their motto is “no mercy”)
Dear Hannah acted like the most brainless, naïve, and dumb woman in literature history. She fell in love with the guy on their first date, started planning their grandchildren’s wedding menu during their dinner, ignoring the good-to-be-true signs. She had to move her head up to see the neon signs above Alex’s head that told her he was a bad guy, duh! Throughout my read, I actually heard Billy Eilish’s song blast from the speakers ( later I found out my bestie Ashley had turned on the music so loud to attract my attention. But it fit with my reading chapters! So I didn’t care!)
At first, I thought she didn’t belong in a thriller. She truly deserves a place in a chic lit or melodramatic rom-com or fairytale ( she can be the estranged cousin of Snow White or the step-sister of Frozen’s Elsa).
She already had a problematic breakup with her ex, Tom. Now she thinks he sent her flowers with a threatening note and thinks somebody broke into her car! But all those things started to happen after her first date with Alex.
I’m not going to give more clues. But I have to admit: Alex did so many unacceptable things, and Hannah acted like a loyal puppy, finding excuses for his behavior. It repeated over and over! I plan to DNF this one! But my instincts tell me I have to finish it because the author’s previous book, “ Sister in Law,” was one of my favorite reads of this year, and I was still so sure she’s extremely smart enough to rock my world with a big twist. And she did.
I fell in love with the last 10% of the book and I hated the rest of it.
So should I give an average of 3.5 stars ( 2 stars for 90% and 5 stars for 10%), rounding up to 4, or let it stay at 3 stars because I still find the heroine ultra illogical, punchable, and annoying?
I think the heroine ruined my mood. This was still fast, easy, riveting reading, and I love the author’s flawed, dysfunctional characterizations, twisty revelations, and the ending was marvelous, but it could be more enjoyable reading for me with less detestable MCs.
Don’t get me wrong! This is still a good read with great potential and clever, unexpected twists. It’s still better than most thrillers I’ve read this year. And I still like to read the upcoming works of the author, but this book could be a little better without too many repetitive, angsty argument chapters between Hannah and Alex, and it would be nice to be introduced to a heroine with a backbone.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this gripping arc with me in exchange fo my honest opinions.
August 6, 2022
Hannah knew that Alex was perfect from their very FIRST DATE. 🍷
They both wanted a yellow Labrador, three kids and weekends in Devon.
Her boss, and best friend, Jas, recognized Alex for the man he was-possessive and controlling.
But, all that Hannah saw was “love and kindness” and she ignored EVERY red flag, justifying his behavior, at every turn, no matter how outrageous or UNACCEPTABLE!!
I was EXASPERATED by Hannah!
She had to be one of the dumbest women that I have ever met in literature!
I could barely keep reading!
But, having enjoyed the author’s past work, I continued on, hoping there would be a big pay-off at the end.
I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up, with all questions answered, but it took perseverance to get there!
And, a few Porn Star Martinis! 🍸😉
Thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy though NetGalley!
It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!
Available Now
They both wanted a yellow Labrador, three kids and weekends in Devon.
Her boss, and best friend, Jas, recognized Alex for the man he was-possessive and controlling.
But, all that Hannah saw was “love and kindness” and she ignored EVERY red flag, justifying his behavior, at every turn, no matter how outrageous or UNACCEPTABLE!!
I was EXASPERATED by Hannah!
She had to be one of the dumbest women that I have ever met in literature!
I could barely keep reading!
But, having enjoyed the author’s past work, I continued on, hoping there would be a big pay-off at the end.
I was satisfied with how it all wrapped up, with all questions answered, but it took perseverance to get there!
And, a few Porn Star Martinis! 🍸😉
Thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy though NetGalley!
It was my pleasure to provide an honest review!
Available Now
September 27, 2020
I am a huge Sue Watson fan. In fact I literally try to grab a copy of her books the second I can get my hands on them. She has mastered the thriller genre and I have enjoyed her last three books so much that she is a must read.
That being said, this one just was very hard for me to connect with for some reason. The first date that Alex and Hannah had, felt like it lasted forever. I got a bit bored waiting around in their homes..waiting for something to happen. Hannah...oh Hannah...get a clue girlfriend. It was painful to watch her overlook how creepy her internet date really was.
Then the last 1/3 of the book took off into another gear. The twists and turns were what I had hoped for all along. As we sped to the end, I got a twist that caught me totally off guard. I only wish the entire book was as suspense filled as the last couple of chapters. Even though this one for some reason didn't pull me in as I had hoped, I do look forward to more from this author!
Thank you to Bookouture for this ARC provided via Netgalley for an honest review.
That being said, this one just was very hard for me to connect with for some reason. The first date that Alex and Hannah had, felt like it lasted forever. I got a bit bored waiting around in their homes..waiting for something to happen. Hannah...oh Hannah...get a clue girlfriend. It was painful to watch her overlook how creepy her internet date really was.
Then the last 1/3 of the book took off into another gear. The twists and turns were what I had hoped for all along. As we sped to the end, I got a twist that caught me totally off guard. I only wish the entire book was as suspense filled as the last couple of chapters. Even though this one for some reason didn't pull me in as I had hoped, I do look forward to more from this author!
Thank you to Bookouture for this ARC provided via Netgalley for an honest review.
December 27, 2021
Frankly, everyone in this novel felt like crazy manipulators. Beware of spoilers on!
Also, what was that bit about Hannah and the rest of the office heatedly discussing her love life all the time? I don't think they had nearly enough to do if they still had that kind of spare time to do all that!
Actually, I kind of think that all those meddling friends could drive many a normal guy to get the hell away from Hannah ASAP.
Q:
‘Hannah, you spend every single day with her, and from what you say, she’d like to spend every night with you too.’ (c) Hannah should just marry Jas and be done with it.
Hannah:
I think that Hannah mistakenly believed she was looking for love. Well, she wasn't. She doesn't deal in love. She deals in the 'normal' and the random. The only thing she needs is Porn Star Martinis with Jas and a guy who would call her 'mate'. Romance, she doesn't get so getting together with Alex was obviously a bad choice for her on more accounts than one.
Also, Hannah did want a guy to love her and take care of her and provide her with everything, yet she didn't want the guy to come with any sort of luggage to work through. Nice.
Alex:
Imagine meeting a girl in a bar. A girl you fall in love with and, 'cause you don't really know how to experience any kind of love other than extreme codependency, you go codependent on her ass, weirding her and her meddling friends out of their boring minds.
While Alex is shown as some sort of extreme creep, is a liar and his career is in shambles, he hasn't really done anything horrible other than being in a bar brawl with an unhappy ending (which happens to people, occasionally), being socially lame (really, a desk picnic?), cooking a lot for Hannah (enough to lose his job), not having good therapy and, obviously, loving a bunch of wrong girls. The ones who, despite being seemingly overqualified for dealing with extreme issues, still have no idea how to recognise codependency, how to deal with it and so on...
Another thing. The romancey luvy-duvy relationships usually come with strings attached. Hello, codependency, lack of personal space and trying to make a prised possession of another person. Whenever we're talking about the modernised equal rights version of it, we should be ready that the romance part will be really downsized. So, it's like Hannah says (and likely believes) she wants one thing and can handle only the other one.
Ultimately, what everything came to is this sorry bunch ofdo-gooders social workers got a guy to 'kill himself'. Well, at least socially. While Alex wasn't the epithome of healthy, people rarely are. So, I don't really think that any of these protagonists are essentially good people. While Alex injured a guy in an accidental brawl, this department (Hannah included) all but drowned him with their own hands ().
Harry is ugh..... I won't spoil this but I do believe Hannah should've gotten Alex some therapy instead of going all crazy runner on him in that Devon cottage.
Q:
Sadly, it seems that I’m the closest person to him, as he would have been the closest to me. We were little more than children without roots, both searching for a family and a home, and believing we’d found that in each other. (c)
Q:
‘Mmm, if you’re sure you want to enjoy a third date with an un-showered woman falling asleep at the table in her work clothes…?’
‘Sounds perfect, just how I like my third dates.’ (c)
Q:
‘Sometimes I’m shocked at what some people have to go through, and how any one of us could have found ourselves in a hopeless situation like these poor souls. The wrong parent, neglect, poverty – we’re all just a parent away from neglect or abuse,’ (c)
Q:
‘Hannah, I didn’t follow you when we were together, why would I start now?’ (c)
Q:
As a child who lived on the fringes of other people’s families, I never had forever, and I’m sure Alex knows the power of that word to someone like me. Not having a permanent home growing up messes with your identity, and it’s hard to know where I fit in, even now. (c)
Q:
I’m glad it’s something so normal, because I was imagining all kinds of weird things – a freshly painted dungeon, a padded cell. (c) LOL!
Also, what was that bit about Hannah and the rest of the office heatedly discussing her love life all the time? I don't think they had nearly enough to do if they still had that kind of spare time to do all that!
Actually, I kind of think that all those meddling friends could drive many a normal guy to get the hell away from Hannah ASAP.
Q:
‘Hannah, you spend every single day with her, and from what you say, she’d like to spend every night with you too.’ (c) Hannah should just marry Jas and be done with it.
Hannah:
I think that Hannah mistakenly believed she was looking for love. Well, she wasn't. She doesn't deal in love. She deals in the 'normal' and the random. The only thing she needs is Porn Star Martinis with Jas and a guy who would call her 'mate'. Romance, she doesn't get so getting together with Alex was obviously a bad choice for her on more accounts than one.
Also, Hannah did want a guy to love her and take care of her and provide her with everything, yet she didn't want the guy to come with any sort of luggage to work through. Nice.
Alex:
Imagine meeting a girl in a bar. A girl you fall in love with and, 'cause you don't really know how to experience any kind of love other than extreme codependency, you go codependent on her ass, weirding her and her meddling friends out of their boring minds.
While Alex is shown as some sort of extreme creep, is a liar and his career is in shambles, he hasn't really done anything horrible other than being in a bar brawl with an unhappy ending (which happens to people, occasionally), being socially lame (really, a desk picnic?), cooking a lot for Hannah (enough to lose his job), not having good therapy and, obviously, loving a bunch of wrong girls. The ones who, despite being seemingly overqualified for dealing with extreme issues, still have no idea how to recognise codependency, how to deal with it and so on...
Another thing. The romancey luvy-duvy relationships usually come with strings attached. Hello, codependency, lack of personal space and trying to make a prised possession of another person. Whenever we're talking about the modernised equal rights version of it, we should be ready that the romance part will be really downsized. So, it's like Hannah says (and likely believes) she wants one thing and can handle only the other one.
Ultimately, what everything came to is this sorry bunch of
Harry is ugh..... I won't spoil this but I do believe Hannah should've gotten Alex some therapy instead of going all crazy runner on him in that Devon cottage.
Q:
Sadly, it seems that I’m the closest person to him, as he would have been the closest to me. We were little more than children without roots, both searching for a family and a home, and believing we’d found that in each other. (c)
Q:
‘Mmm, if you’re sure you want to enjoy a third date with an un-showered woman falling asleep at the table in her work clothes…?’
‘Sounds perfect, just how I like my third dates.’ (c)
Q:
‘Sometimes I’m shocked at what some people have to go through, and how any one of us could have found ourselves in a hopeless situation like these poor souls. The wrong parent, neglect, poverty – we’re all just a parent away from neglect or abuse,’ (c)
Q:
‘Hannah, I didn’t follow you when we were together, why would I start now?’ (c)
Q:
As a child who lived on the fringes of other people’s families, I never had forever, and I’m sure Alex knows the power of that word to someone like me. Not having a permanent home growing up messes with your identity, and it’s hard to know where I fit in, even now. (c)
Q:
I’m glad it’s something so normal, because I was imagining all kinds of weird things – a freshly painted dungeon, a padded cell. (c) LOL!
October 16, 2020
First Date grabbed my attention from the first page.
Hannah has the perfect first date with Alex. Red flags start to be revealed. Is Alex really as perfect as Hannah thinks? Is anything Alex says true.
First Date is a crazy good book. It is something that any single person can relate to. Going on a promising first date and ignoring the red flags. Luckily most red flags people ignore are not as extreme as Alex’s red flags.
Hannah and Alex’s relationship was interesting to read about. The relationship effected Hannah’s friendships and I enjoyed seeing how the friends handled things.
The end was very unexpected in the best way. I recommend First Date to domestic thriller fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for First Date.
Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Hannah has the perfect first date with Alex. Red flags start to be revealed. Is Alex really as perfect as Hannah thinks? Is anything Alex says true.
First Date is a crazy good book. It is something that any single person can relate to. Going on a promising first date and ignoring the red flags. Luckily most red flags people ignore are not as extreme as Alex’s red flags.
Hannah and Alex’s relationship was interesting to read about. The relationship effected Hannah’s friendships and I enjoyed seeing how the friends handled things.
The end was very unexpected in the best way. I recommend First Date to domestic thriller fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for First Date.
Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
September 27, 2020
Hannah’s first date with Alex goes like a dream as she’s certain she has indeed Met her Match as the online dating site suggests. They both want three children, a golden Labrador and their perfect holiday is a cottage in Devon. Too good to be true? Well of course otherwise it would be a very short book! Alex’s behaviour is odd from the start which becomes increasingly worrying to Hannah’s best friend and boss, Jas.
There are sections of this that I enjoyed in this easy read. There are some moments of tension and strange and disturbing events but sadly these are not maintained in this unevenly paced plot and they fizzle out. The end is really good, it’s surprisingly left field and one I didn’t see coming.
The biggest problem for me is that Hannah must be the most irritating and blinkered lead characters I’ve come across in a while. She is so malleable, she ignores warning signs that are almost flashing neon. It made me want to shake her and tell her to see reality. As for Alex, well the least said but manipulative and controlling should cover it.
Overall, it’s an uneven read with some good sections.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC for an honest review.
There are sections of this that I enjoyed in this easy read. There are some moments of tension and strange and disturbing events but sadly these are not maintained in this unevenly paced plot and they fizzle out. The end is really good, it’s surprisingly left field and one I didn’t see coming.
The biggest problem for me is that Hannah must be the most irritating and blinkered lead characters I’ve come across in a while. She is so malleable, she ignores warning signs that are almost flashing neon. It made me want to shake her and tell her to see reality. As for Alex, well the least said but manipulative and controlling should cover it.
Overall, it’s an uneven read with some good sections.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC for an honest review.
June 4, 2021
instead of the excitement and hope I had weeks ago, now I feel upset.”
― Sue Watson, First Date
My review:
Dear Readers:
If you are single, have used online dating, are using online dating, are lonely, are about to be single, are single and ready to mingle, are experiencing dating in any way, shape or form-
THIS BOOK WILL ABSOLUTELY MAKE YOU-UMMMMM-NEVER WANT TO GO ON A DATE AGAIN EVER!
Dear Readers:
If you are someone who has made bad choices in your dates in the past.
If you are someone who has a rocky dating history,
If you are someone who sometimes feels really really bad when you think of past decisions you've made in your personal life that maybe did not turn out so well,
If you are someone who thinks you've made the worst romantic decisions ever!
If you are someone who loves to hear about other people's bad relationship decisions because you like to lecture,
If you are someone who is convinced nobody makes worse romantic choices then yourself,
YOU WILL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF AFTER YOU MEET HANNAH!
So....this book-is sick-and I mean that as a compliment. I was up ALL NIGHT yesterday reading it. And the book revolves around Hannah, who you have probably guessed, is not the luckiest in love.
That's....putting it mildly?
She meets Alex.
Everybody around her suspects Alex is maybe-well-sort of a nutter.
They maybe right.
None of this is a spoiler. You find it out early. Oh, do you!
Don't believe me about Hannah's lack of judgement? OK-She meets this guy and FIFTEEN MINUTES OR SO LATER-is having visions of their wedding and children and life together.
Someone call Dr. Drew Pinksy-Hannah has a broken picker! (I actually cannot stand Pinsky but this statement seemed appropriate.)
If anyone thinks I am judging Hannah-I'm not. She maybe the sanest one in the book!!!!!
I actually felt bad for her but man-I mean-this guy-he takes the word "issues" to new and exciting heights.
I could not believe it when she was musing about it being the best sex she ever had. How was he able to have sex? He never shut up! Is our relationship OK Hannah? Do you love me Hannah? Do I have issues Hannah? Well-he does not actually ask that question but he should have.
He would not stop talking. I STARTED to feel claustrophobic. Poor Hannah. And that arranging her whole kitchen? No. I'm sorry.No way. Deal breaker. I will say it upfront. That is just really really beyond annoying.
Hannah needed a hug. I mean-she really did. She also needed to stop seeing this guy but when, oh when, has Hannah ever listened?
The scene at work where Alex brings Hannah lunch and is dubbed the butler had me screaming with laughter. Thank you author. I mean-I could just see the whole thing in my mind.
YES-I am recommending this! Yes, it is fun! The ending has a twist and wow! So well done. I did NOT want this book to end.
First Date can also be used as a dating deterant. Seriously, if ever you want to stop someone from making a really REALLY bad dating decision, give em this book to read as a cautionary tale.
Kudos to the author for a great ending that wowed me!
Recomended.
― Sue Watson, First Date
My review:
Dear Readers:
If you are single, have used online dating, are using online dating, are lonely, are about to be single, are single and ready to mingle, are experiencing dating in any way, shape or form-
THIS BOOK WILL ABSOLUTELY MAKE YOU-UMMMMM-NEVER WANT TO GO ON A DATE AGAIN EVER!
Dear Readers:
If you are someone who has made bad choices in your dates in the past.
If you are someone who has a rocky dating history,
If you are someone who sometimes feels really really bad when you think of past decisions you've made in your personal life that maybe did not turn out so well,
If you are someone who thinks you've made the worst romantic decisions ever!
If you are someone who loves to hear about other people's bad relationship decisions because you like to lecture,
If you are someone who is convinced nobody makes worse romantic choices then yourself,
YOU WILL FEEL SO MUCH BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF AFTER YOU MEET HANNAH!
So....this book-is sick-and I mean that as a compliment. I was up ALL NIGHT yesterday reading it. And the book revolves around Hannah, who you have probably guessed, is not the luckiest in love.
That's....putting it mildly?
She meets Alex.
Everybody around her suspects Alex is maybe-well-sort of a nutter.
They maybe right.
None of this is a spoiler. You find it out early. Oh, do you!
Don't believe me about Hannah's lack of judgement? OK-She meets this guy and FIFTEEN MINUTES OR SO LATER-is having visions of their wedding and children and life together.
Someone call Dr. Drew Pinksy-Hannah has a broken picker! (I actually cannot stand Pinsky but this statement seemed appropriate.)
If anyone thinks I am judging Hannah-I'm not. She maybe the sanest one in the book!!!!!
I actually felt bad for her but man-I mean-this guy-he takes the word "issues" to new and exciting heights.
I could not believe it when she was musing about it being the best sex she ever had. How was he able to have sex? He never shut up! Is our relationship OK Hannah? Do you love me Hannah? Do I have issues Hannah? Well-he does not actually ask that question but he should have.
He would not stop talking. I STARTED to feel claustrophobic. Poor Hannah. And that arranging her whole kitchen? No. I'm sorry.No way. Deal breaker. I will say it upfront. That is just really really beyond annoying.
Hannah needed a hug. I mean-she really did. She also needed to stop seeing this guy but when, oh when, has Hannah ever listened?
The scene at work where Alex brings Hannah lunch and is dubbed the butler had me screaming with laughter. Thank you author. I mean-I could just see the whole thing in my mind.
YES-I am recommending this! Yes, it is fun! The ending has a twist and wow! So well done. I did NOT want this book to end.
First Date can also be used as a dating deterant. Seriously, if ever you want to stop someone from making a really REALLY bad dating decision, give em this book to read as a cautionary tale.
Kudos to the author for a great ending that wowed me!
Recomended.
October 5, 2020
4.5 stars
First Date by Sue Watson follows Hannah who thinks she's finally met the man of her dreams. Alex is good looking, sweet, considerate, has a great job, and wants the same things she does. But as their relationship intensifies, bizarre things start happening to Hannah and she doesn't know who to trust.
A gripping psychological thriller that perfectly captures what it means to be in a toxic relationship. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and I didn't know who to trust or believe. It is obvious that Alex is a controlling boyfriend but I had a feeling there was more to the story than that. I had two theories about what was really going on and one of them turned out to be correct so the twist didn't come as a huge surprise. But overall, a very enjoyable and suspenseful read. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First Date by Sue Watson follows Hannah who thinks she's finally met the man of her dreams. Alex is good looking, sweet, considerate, has a great job, and wants the same things she does. But as their relationship intensifies, bizarre things start happening to Hannah and she doesn't know who to trust.
A gripping psychological thriller that perfectly captures what it means to be in a toxic relationship. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and I didn't know who to trust or believe. It is obvious that Alex is a controlling boyfriend but I had a feeling there was more to the story than that. I had two theories about what was really going on and one of them turned out to be correct so the twist didn't come as a huge surprise. But overall, a very enjoyable and suspenseful read. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Although this book was a little like a “Lifetime” movie, I have to admit I was very entertained. Some of the twists were somewhat predictable but I was still motivated to keep on reading until the very twisty end, which brought my rating up from 3 to 4 stars. I would definitely classify this as a guilty pleasure. Deception, suspicion and a dash of paranoia are the perfect ingredients for this unputdownable psychological thriller. First Date is a quick, soapy thriller with an ending that made it worthwhile.
Merged review:
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Although this book was a little like a “Lifetime” movie, I have to admit I was very entertained. Some of the twists were somewhat predictable but I was still motivated to keep reading until the very twisty end, which brought my rating up from 3 to 4 stars. I would definitely classify this as a guilty pleasure. Deception, suspicion and a dash of paranoia are the perfect ingredients in this unputdownable psychological thriller. First Date is a quick, soapy thriller with an ending that made it worthwhile.
Merged review:
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Although this book was a little like a “Lifetime” movie, I have to admit I was very entertained. Some of the twists were somewhat predictable but I was still motivated to keep reading until the very twisty end, which brought my rating up from 3 to 4 stars. I would definitely classify this as a guilty pleasure. Deception, suspicion and a dash of paranoia are the perfect ingredients in this unputdownable psychological thriller. First Date is a quick, soapy thriller with an ending that made it worthwhile.
September 19, 2020
My first Sue Watson novel and as a sign of how much I enjoyed it purchased her other novels once I finished this one.
Hannah wants a man and when she meets Alex the signs are good and she feels he could be the one. Hannah's grew up in foster care and her childhood was unstable but now things are feeling a lot better. She enjoys working as a social worker and is content in her cosy apartment but at 36 feels she needs a man to fall in love with. Her best friend encourages her to use a dating app where she meets Alex. He appears to be too good to be true, handsome, loves the same music, enjoys the same food and even dreams about the same holiday destinations. But is love blind, Hannah's friends see him a little different.
This addictive psychological thriller will have you rushing through the pages, shouting at Hannah and cursing others but it's such a good read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah wants a man and when she meets Alex the signs are good and she feels he could be the one. Hannah's grew up in foster care and her childhood was unstable but now things are feeling a lot better. She enjoys working as a social worker and is content in her cosy apartment but at 36 feels she needs a man to fall in love with. Her best friend encourages her to use a dating app where she meets Alex. He appears to be too good to be true, handsome, loves the same music, enjoys the same food and even dreams about the same holiday destinations. But is love blind, Hannah's friends see him a little different.
This addictive psychological thriller will have you rushing through the pages, shouting at Hannah and cursing others but it's such a good read.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2020
Hannah is searching for love and has a perfect first date with Alex. Well nearly perfect, anyway, there is a glaring red flag that Hannah chooses to ignore.
Throughout the book, Hannah continues to ignore the red flags, which can be rather annoying; however I was highly entertained and invested in the first half of the book. Unfortunately the 2nd half didn't have much more to offer so I began to lose interest.
I did enjoy the ending, it wasn't what I was expecting or guessed at all along the way.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Throughout the book, Hannah continues to ignore the red flags, which can be rather annoying; however I was highly entertained and invested in the first half of the book. Unfortunately the 2nd half didn't have much more to offer so I began to lose interest.
I did enjoy the ending, it wasn't what I was expecting or guessed at all along the way.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 24, 2020
I have been a fan of Sue Watson for a while now having read several of her books and rating them rather highly so I was quite looking forward to reading this new thriller that is being published. Unfortunately though this one didn’t turn out to be the amazing read that I had thought, or at least that I hoped that it would be.
Hannah is in her mid thirties and still very very single not having met that perfect man that would sweep her off her feet. When her best friend suggests that she finally tries online dating she is more than hesitant feeling a little weird swiping through the photos but Hannah finally agrees to a date with Alex.
As Hannah and Alex are on their first date things seem way too good to be true when so many of their wants in life seem to match up perfectly. Soon Hannah and Alex are falling in love but Hannah’s co-workers and friends all seem to think there is just something about Alex that just isn’t adding up.
For me this book is one of those that just went way too far to set up it’s point. In here Hannah sees so many red flags about Alex but she continually brushes them off with excuse after excuse to where I’m screaming “Girl are you colorblind or what??” I mean normal folks would not tolerate even a fraction of what this main character was putting up with and all this filled the first 80% or so of the book which made the story more than begin to drag like crazy. However, the reason I went with three stars after I thought this one would finish even lower was the ending was the twisty mess I expect from the author so at least it did finish on a good note for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Hannah is in her mid thirties and still very very single not having met that perfect man that would sweep her off her feet. When her best friend suggests that she finally tries online dating she is more than hesitant feeling a little weird swiping through the photos but Hannah finally agrees to a date with Alex.
As Hannah and Alex are on their first date things seem way too good to be true when so many of their wants in life seem to match up perfectly. Soon Hannah and Alex are falling in love but Hannah’s co-workers and friends all seem to think there is just something about Alex that just isn’t adding up.
For me this book is one of those that just went way too far to set up it’s point. In here Hannah sees so many red flags about Alex but she continually brushes them off with excuse after excuse to where I’m screaming “Girl are you colorblind or what??” I mean normal folks would not tolerate even a fraction of what this main character was putting up with and all this filled the first 80% or so of the book which made the story more than begin to drag like crazy. However, the reason I went with three stars after I thought this one would finish even lower was the ending was the twisty mess I expect from the author so at least it did finish on a good note for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 24, 2020
2.5 Disappointing Stars
I had heard good things about this author, but this was a disappointing read for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at the ridiculous main character, Hannah. As my friend Jayme said in her review “She had to be one of the dumbest women that I have ever met in literature!”
Hannah want to meet Mr. Right so badly that she’s willing to overlook all the faults in the new man she’s dating. What Hannah sees as taking care of her every want, her friends see as controlling and manipulative. Just when I thought Hannah had kicked him to the curb over some nasty comment or behavior, she lets him apologize and he’s right back in her life.
I didn’t find this one gripping, suspenseful, or unputdownable and only the very end of the book with a good twist caused me to round this one up. I haven't given up on this author though and I will read some of her earlier works.
Thank you to Bookoutre for the early copy of this one. Set to release 10.16.2020.
I had heard good things about this author, but this was a disappointing read for me. I found myself rolling my eyes at the ridiculous main character, Hannah. As my friend Jayme said in her review “She had to be one of the dumbest women that I have ever met in literature!”
Hannah want to meet Mr. Right so badly that she’s willing to overlook all the faults in the new man she’s dating. What Hannah sees as taking care of her every want, her friends see as controlling and manipulative. Just when I thought Hannah had kicked him to the curb over some nasty comment or behavior, she lets him apologize and he’s right back in her life.
I didn’t find this one gripping, suspenseful, or unputdownable and only the very end of the book with a good twist caused me to round this one up. I haven't given up on this author though and I will read some of her earlier works.
Thank you to Bookoutre for the early copy of this one. Set to release 10.16.2020.
January 11, 2021
FIRST DATE is a psychological thriller by Sue Watson.
She was in love and love is blind…
Hannah, a thirty-six-year- old social worker is looking for Mr. Right, after the horrible breakup last year, she is encouraged by her boss, Jas, to go on an online dating site, to meet a new man.
All she wants is a home, a family, three kids and a Labrador. Simple wish list!
It is not everyday you meet someone who wants everything you do. She’s been waiting her whole life to meet a man like Alex. But he’s been waiting too. And once he has her, he’ll never let her go…
She meets her perfect man, Alex on a dating site, and discovers on their first date they share a lot of the same likes and wishes. Alex, a lawyer, is gorgeous, sexy, intelligent and funny. He does everything to please her. They were made for each other.
Hannah has come from an unstable childhood growing up in foster care, and is now content with her sweet, little, messy apartment and her satisfying job as a social worker. She worries that she might never fall in love.
Hannah’s friends aren’t so sure about Alex. But Hannah thinks he’s perfect.
But it isn’t long before happiness dwindles and darkness creeps in.
This was a gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller about dark obsession and internet dating. Well written with the suspense level increasing until the surprise ending.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
She was in love and love is blind…
Hannah, a thirty-six-year- old social worker is looking for Mr. Right, after the horrible breakup last year, she is encouraged by her boss, Jas, to go on an online dating site, to meet a new man.
All she wants is a home, a family, three kids and a Labrador. Simple wish list!
It is not everyday you meet someone who wants everything you do. She’s been waiting her whole life to meet a man like Alex. But he’s been waiting too. And once he has her, he’ll never let her go…
She meets her perfect man, Alex on a dating site, and discovers on their first date they share a lot of the same likes and wishes. Alex, a lawyer, is gorgeous, sexy, intelligent and funny. He does everything to please her. They were made for each other.
Hannah has come from an unstable childhood growing up in foster care, and is now content with her sweet, little, messy apartment and her satisfying job as a social worker. She worries that she might never fall in love.
Hannah’s friends aren’t so sure about Alex. But Hannah thinks he’s perfect.
But it isn’t long before happiness dwindles and darkness creeps in.
This was a gripping and suspenseful psychological thriller about dark obsession and internet dating. Well written with the suspense level increasing until the surprise ending.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
September 25, 2020
Hannah cannot find her ideal man, she has tried online dating ( one of the experiences she recollects is hilarious ) and then she meets Alex, he is perfect, he wants to be with her and love her 24/7....but is this love or is it control?
Her friends are suspicious and think control but they say ‘love is blind’ and Hannah has waited too long for Mr Right and so she ‘lets a few things go’, however by the time she realises it’s too late....almost
And there I shall leave the plot before I give anything away aside from saying this is a book that builds and builds to a surprising and taut ending that is written to surprise and 100% does it’s job
I didn’t particularly like either main player but I dont think you were meant to
A well written pyschological thriller that did as it set out to do, shock!
9/10
5 Stars
Her friends are suspicious and think control but they say ‘love is blind’ and Hannah has waited too long for Mr Right and so she ‘lets a few things go’, however by the time she realises it’s too late....almost
And there I shall leave the plot before I give anything away aside from saying this is a book that builds and builds to a surprising and taut ending that is written to surprise and 100% does it’s job
I didn’t particularly like either main player but I dont think you were meant to
A well written pyschological thriller that did as it set out to do, shock!
9/10
5 Stars
September 23, 2020
So first, the good! I had never read anything by Sue Watson before, and I really like her writing style. Very fast-paced, good narration style, and good at building suspense. I will definitely check out some of her other thrillers.
This one though lost me a little bit because the main character, Hannah, as my Goodreads friends Jayme and Dita have also pointed out, was SO aggravating. There were obvious, and I mean OBVIOUS, red flags with another character in the story from about page three, and she decided to just ignore them or rationalize them away in a really unconvincing manner. It was hard to identify with a main character who was that out of touch, and put up with so many things that were so outrageously bonkers from Day 1. I like reading books about strong female main characters. While I understand that in real life women get caught up in toxic relationships, I read these books to live vicariously and hopefully to root for the heroine to eventually make some good choices. Or if she's making terrible choices, they need to be entertaining or funny and I need to still like her. Here, neither of these things happened. Hannah needed more gumption and more self-awareness. I had gotten tired of her before I was halfway through the book.
So in conclusion, I have decided that I like Sue Watson, but I don't like Hannah. I'll try Watson again for another thriller because I can see she has the chops to entertain me. This heroine just really didn't work for me.
Thanks so much to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance copy to read!
Merged review:
So first, the good! I had never read anything by Sue Watson before, and I really like her writing style. Very fast-paced, good narration style, and good at building suspense. I will definitely check out some of her other thrillers.
This one though lost me a little bit because the main character, Hannah, as my Goodreads friends Jayme and Dita have also pointed out, was SO aggravating. There were obvious, and I mean OBVIOUS, red flags with another character in the story from about page three, and she decided to just ignore them or rationalize them away in a really unconvincing manner. It was hard to identify with a main character who was that out of touch, and put up with so many things that were so outrageously bonkers from Day 1.
I like reading books about strong female main characters. While I understand that in real life women get caught up in toxic relationships, I read these books to live vicariously and hopefully to root for the heroine to eventually make some good choices. Or if she's making terrible choices, they need to be entertaining or funny and I need to still like her. Here, neither of these things happened. Hannah needed more gumption and more self-awareness. I had gotten tired of her before I was halfway through the book.
So in conclusion, I have decided that I like Sue Watson, but I don't like Hannah. I'll try Watson again for another thriller because I can see she has the chops to entertain me. This heroine just really didn't work for me.
Thanks so much to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance copy to read!
This one though lost me a little bit because the main character, Hannah, as my Goodreads friends Jayme and Dita have also pointed out, was SO aggravating. There were obvious, and I mean OBVIOUS, red flags with another character in the story from about page three, and she decided to just ignore them or rationalize them away in a really unconvincing manner. It was hard to identify with a main character who was that out of touch, and put up with so many things that were so outrageously bonkers from Day 1. I like reading books about strong female main characters. While I understand that in real life women get caught up in toxic relationships, I read these books to live vicariously and hopefully to root for the heroine to eventually make some good choices. Or if she's making terrible choices, they need to be entertaining or funny and I need to still like her. Here, neither of these things happened. Hannah needed more gumption and more self-awareness. I had gotten tired of her before I was halfway through the book.
So in conclusion, I have decided that I like Sue Watson, but I don't like Hannah. I'll try Watson again for another thriller because I can see she has the chops to entertain me. This heroine just really didn't work for me.
Thanks so much to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance copy to read!
Merged review:
So first, the good! I had never read anything by Sue Watson before, and I really like her writing style. Very fast-paced, good narration style, and good at building suspense. I will definitely check out some of her other thrillers.
This one though lost me a little bit because the main character, Hannah, as my Goodreads friends Jayme and Dita have also pointed out, was SO aggravating. There were obvious, and I mean OBVIOUS, red flags with another character in the story from about page three, and she decided to just ignore them or rationalize them away in a really unconvincing manner. It was hard to identify with a main character who was that out of touch, and put up with so many things that were so outrageously bonkers from Day 1.
I like reading books about strong female main characters. While I understand that in real life women get caught up in toxic relationships, I read these books to live vicariously and hopefully to root for the heroine to eventually make some good choices. Or if she's making terrible choices, they need to be entertaining or funny and I need to still like her. Here, neither of these things happened. Hannah needed more gumption and more self-awareness. I had gotten tired of her before I was halfway through the book.
So in conclusion, I have decided that I like Sue Watson, but I don't like Hannah. I'll try Watson again for another thriller because I can see she has the chops to entertain me. This heroine just really didn't work for me.
Thanks so much to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance copy to read!
October 14, 2020
Hannak has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure. Her childhood had been unstable growing up in Foster care. She now works as a social worker, she's thirty six years old and worries that she might never fall in love. She joins a dating app and meets Alex. They had lots in common: music, food, they both want to travel the world and much more. Hannah's friends are not keen on him. But Hannah thinks he's perfect.
There is no such thing as a perfect man and Hannah is deluded. She thinks she's met her perfect match in Alex. This is a gripping page Turner. Hannah annoyed me on several levels, I cojld ot be,I've her at times. I didnt know if she was just nieve or just plain stupid. I'm also,glad I'm not on a dating app as this book was quite an eye opener to the modern world. I did find the book dipped a bit in the middle. But the ending , WOW, what a complete surprise that was. Some of the twists were predictable but the last one I never saw coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #SueWatson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Hannah has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure. Her childhood had been unstable growing up in Foster care. She now works as a social worker, she's thirty six years old and worries that she might never fall in love. She joins a dating app and meets Alex. They both had lots in common: mjsic, food, they both want to travel the world and much more. Hannah's friends aren't keen on him. But Hannah thinks he's perfect.
There is no such thing as a perfect man and Hannah is deluded. She thinks she's met her perfect match in Alex. This is a gripping page turner. Hannah annoyed me on several levels, I couldn't believe her at times. I wasn't sure if she was nieve or just plain stupid. I'm also glad that I'm not on dating apps as this book was quite an eye opener to the modern world. I did feel the book dipped a bit in the middle. But the ending, WOW. What a complete surprise that was. Some of the twists were predictable but the last one I never saw coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #SueWatson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There is no such thing as a perfect man and Hannah is deluded. She thinks she's met her perfect match in Alex. This is a gripping page Turner. Hannah annoyed me on several levels, I cojld ot be,I've her at times. I didnt know if she was just nieve or just plain stupid. I'm also,glad I'm not on a dating app as this book was quite an eye opener to the modern world. I did find the book dipped a bit in the middle. But the ending , WOW, what a complete surprise that was. Some of the twists were predictable but the last one I never saw coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #SueWatson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Hannah has done everything to make sure her life is safe and secure. Her childhood had been unstable growing up in Foster care. She now works as a social worker, she's thirty six years old and worries that she might never fall in love. She joins a dating app and meets Alex. They both had lots in common: mjsic, food, they both want to travel the world and much more. Hannah's friends aren't keen on him. But Hannah thinks he's perfect.
There is no such thing as a perfect man and Hannah is deluded. She thinks she's met her perfect match in Alex. This is a gripping page turner. Hannah annoyed me on several levels, I couldn't believe her at times. I wasn't sure if she was nieve or just plain stupid. I'm also glad that I'm not on dating apps as this book was quite an eye opener to the modern world. I did feel the book dipped a bit in the middle. But the ending, WOW. What a complete surprise that was. Some of the twists were predictable but the last one I never saw coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #SueWatson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2020
334 pages of bad writing, irritating characters, and predictable ending
September 17, 2020
Received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I apologize for how negative this will be.
I don’t even know where to begin to start complaining about this book. It had the promise of being so incredibly creepy, especially in the era of a lot of people finding their partners online, but this just took such a bad turn. It started off okay, and I was intrigued enough to see how creepy Alex would get, but about halfway through I just couldn’t deal with how incredibly fucking stupid Hannah was. I understand being the victim of manipulation and how hard it is to get out of a toxic relationship, but this went so far past that it became hard to root for her. There were blatantly obvious creepy things that Alex was doing and saying, and she kept shrugging it off and telling herself she heard wrong and that her friends were wrong and he was perfect and honestly after a while I kind of wished Alex would just tell her to her face that he was a stalker just so she would understand the incredibly obvious situation. This book was not subtle or masterful in its manipulation and by the end of it, ESPECIALLY by the end of it, I was kind of waiting for Alex to just kill her.
I also didn’t like the way they tried to redeem Alex at the end by blaming it on childhood traumas. They kind of shrugged it off and even LAUGHED about it and literally said “yeah that’s just Alex” like it was some funny anecdote. It didn’t fit with the theme of the novel, and stalking someone and being a complete creeper is certainly not something to just say oh well over.
And that ending. Oh my god. I won’t spoil it, but the very last twist was honestly so stupid. It was clearly tacked on there as a surprise, but it was not a very good one. It felt more of an “are you serious, come the hell on” instead of a “wow that’s insane I love it”. It felt like the author just added it for pure shock value and not only was it SO incredibly unnecessary, it was a complete waste. It didn’t add anything to the story and in fact is what made me give this one star instead of two.
All in all this was not for me, but maybe the rest of you will enjoy a story about a stupid, naive woman who doesn’t want to see anything that’s right in front of her and a lackluster thriller with no point.
I don’t even know where to begin to start complaining about this book. It had the promise of being so incredibly creepy, especially in the era of a lot of people finding their partners online, but this just took such a bad turn. It started off okay, and I was intrigued enough to see how creepy Alex would get, but about halfway through I just couldn’t deal with how incredibly fucking stupid Hannah was. I understand being the victim of manipulation and how hard it is to get out of a toxic relationship, but this went so far past that it became hard to root for her. There were blatantly obvious creepy things that Alex was doing and saying, and she kept shrugging it off and telling herself she heard wrong and that her friends were wrong and he was perfect and honestly after a while I kind of wished Alex would just tell her to her face that he was a stalker just so she would understand the incredibly obvious situation. This book was not subtle or masterful in its manipulation and by the end of it, ESPECIALLY by the end of it, I was kind of waiting for Alex to just kill her.
I also didn’t like the way they tried to redeem Alex at the end by blaming it on childhood traumas. They kind of shrugged it off and even LAUGHED about it and literally said “yeah that’s just Alex” like it was some funny anecdote. It didn’t fit with the theme of the novel, and stalking someone and being a complete creeper is certainly not something to just say oh well over.
And that ending. Oh my god. I won’t spoil it, but the very last twist was honestly so stupid. It was clearly tacked on there as a surprise, but it was not a very good one. It felt more of an “are you serious, come the hell on” instead of a “wow that’s insane I love it”. It felt like the author just added it for pure shock value and not only was it SO incredibly unnecessary, it was a complete waste. It didn’t add anything to the story and in fact is what made me give this one star instead of two.
All in all this was not for me, but maybe the rest of you will enjoy a story about a stupid, naive woman who doesn’t want to see anything that’s right in front of her and a lackluster thriller with no point.
October 23, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
‘I thought we were getting somewhere, until he sent me his photo,’ she says. ‘Oh, not a pretty face?’ I ask. ‘I don’t know, didn’t see his face.’ ‘Oh gross.’
My Review:
I am a bit concerned about the British system as this office was staffed with social workers that were so poorly trained they should petition their universities for a refund on their educations. I waffled over how to rate this book, but as the writer kept me reading and second and third guessing and shrewdly included several unpredictable twists and curveballs near the end that livened up the tale, I felt generous. The storylines progressed slowly with questionable characters and red herrings tucked in all the way through. I seriously wanted to give the main protagonist several swats to the head to hopefully wake up or jar loose a few working brain cells, but alas, it would have been a waste of my energy as she was truly entrenched and a lost cause.
‘I thought we were getting somewhere, until he sent me his photo,’ she says. ‘Oh, not a pretty face?’ I ask. ‘I don’t know, didn’t see his face.’ ‘Oh gross.’
My Review:
I am a bit concerned about the British system as this office was staffed with social workers that were so poorly trained they should petition their universities for a refund on their educations. I waffled over how to rate this book, but as the writer kept me reading and second and third guessing and shrewdly included several unpredictable twists and curveballs near the end that livened up the tale, I felt generous. The storylines progressed slowly with questionable characters and red herrings tucked in all the way through. I seriously wanted to give the main protagonist several swats to the head to hopefully wake up or jar loose a few working brain cells, but alas, it would have been a waste of my energy as she was truly entrenched and a lost cause.
October 16, 2020
Hannah is almost desperate to have a man in her life .... a man who will love her, a couple of kids, a beautiful home, who is kind and loyal. Impossible?
She thinks so until she meets Alex through a dating app. He's everything she wants in a man. They have so many things in common .. it's like he was made for her.
That's all right .. because she's the woman he's been looking for. And now that he's found her, he plans on keeping her forever.
Hannah's friends and co-workers don't like him. In their eyes, he's possessive, controlling, To Hannah, he's loving and caring, something she never had growing up. But then.. the lies start. And who is the woman following Hannah? Alex says she's an old girlfriend ... maybe bent on hurting Hannah. And in trying to protect her, he has turned his house into everything Hannah would want .. no need to ever leave again.....
Well written, this story is full of twists and turns. Is Alex the controlling monster her best friend thinks he is? Does her friend want him to herself .. something that Alex suggests? Who do you believe? The characters are deftly drawn and will not soon be forgotten. The suspense holds steady until the very last unexpected, surprising conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological thriller. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 13, 2020
Oh Hannah. For such an intelligent woman with such a caring heart, how could you fall for Alex's manipulation? Wasn't there any part of you that, after catching him in multiple lies, wanted to do a bit of investigating into whether or not he was actually telling the truth?
I have to be honest, through most of this book I was just irritated with Hannah. It seemed like a straightforward 2-star book about a woman getting manipulated by her smarmy boyfriend and being way too naive to see what he was doing to her and ignoring the waving arms of her friends alerting her to the behavior.
And then...almost a little too late, but just in the nick of time...the book has some fantastic twists that make the entire experience completely worthwhile. I love everything about how the book wrapped up and the juicy revelations presented. This is a fairly quick read and if you can stick with it through Hannah's eye-rolling behavior, the payoff is so very worth it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I have to be honest, through most of this book I was just irritated with Hannah. It seemed like a straightforward 2-star book about a woman getting manipulated by her smarmy boyfriend and being way too naive to see what he was doing to her and ignoring the waving arms of her friends alerting her to the behavior.
And then...almost a little too late, but just in the nick of time...the book has some fantastic twists that make the entire experience completely worthwhile. I love everything about how the book wrapped up and the juicy revelations presented. This is a fairly quick read and if you can stick with it through Hannah's eye-rolling behavior, the payoff is so very worth it.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 3, 2020
First Date is an intense psychological thriller on steroids with one shocking revelation after another culminating into an explosive ending!
All Hannah wants in life is to fall in love and settle down with someone. She wants her happily ever after. Unfortunately, most of her relationships end badly with some such as her last being very bitter.
Through her best friend's prodding, she decides to join a dating app and seems to strike gold on her first pick. Alex, her date, is a lawyer, wants the same number of children, even the same type of dog! His work compliments her work as a social worker. They both had somewhat bad childhoods and can relate to one another on so many levels.
They have an immediate connection and he invites her over to his house for dinner. During dinner, although still smitten, Hannah sees perhaps a few tiny cracks, but chalks them up to getting to know someone new.
On the other hand, Hannah's friends and workmates seem to feel she is jumping into this relationship too quickly. Perhaps she should slow down. But Hannah truly believes he is the one. It doesn't matter that he possibly has hidden a few issues from his past relationship from her. She herself thinks her ex-boyfriend could be stalking her so she somewhat understands. Hannah chalks it up to being in a new relationship and not wanting to mess things up. Or maybe he is just trying too hard.
But then Hannah begins to run out of excuses for Alex's very odd behavior. She finally admits to herself, something her best friend has been constantly telling her, that she could be dating someone who is a bit crazy. And now not only are her friends concerned, but she is as well!
When strange this begin to happen to Hannah she becomes convinced that not only is Alex not her dream boyfriend, but possibly a sociopathic stalking nightmare! It seems he wants her all to himself and will go to any length to have her. What has she gotten herself into?? How on earth does she get herself out?
As First Date races to its highly unanticipated, jaw-dropping conclusion, we can only hope Hannah will come out of this experience with better intuition as to who her next boyfriend should be.
Thank you so much #NetGalley #Bookouture #FirstDate #SueWatson for the advanced copy,
Merged review:
First Date is an intense psychological thriller on steroids with one shocking revelation after another culminating into an explosive ending!
All Hannah wants in life is to fall in love and settle down with someone. She wants her happily ever after. Unfortunately, most of her relationships end badly with some such as her last being very bitter.
Through her best friend's prodding, she decides to join a dating app and seems to strike gold on her first pick. Alex, her date, is a lawyer, wants the same number of children, even the same type of dog! His work compliments her work as a social worker. They both had somewhat bad childhoods and can relate to one another on so many levels.
They have an immediate connection and he invites her over to his house for dinner. During dinner, although still smitten, Hannah sees perhaps a few tiny cracks, but chalks them up to getting to know someone new.
On the other hand, Hannah's friends and workmates seem to feel she is jumping into this relationship too quickly. Perhaps she should slow down. But Hannah truly believes he is the one. It doesn't matter that he possibly has hidden a few issues from his past relationship from her. She herself thinks her ex-boyfriend could be stalking her so she somewhat understands. Hannah chalks it up to being in a new relationship and not wanting to mess things up. Or maybe he is just trying too hard.
But then Hannah begins to run out of excuses for Alex's very odd behavior. She finally admits to herself, something her best friend has been constantly telling her, that she could be dating someone who is a bit crazy. And now not only are her friends concerned, but she is as well!
When strange this begin to happen to Hannah she becomes convinced that not only is Alex not her dream boyfriend, but possibly a sociopathic stalking nightmare! It seems he wants her all to himself and will go to any length to have her. What has she gotten herself into?? How on earth does she get herself out?
As First Date races to its highly unanticipated, jaw-dropping conclusion, we can only hope Hannah will come out of this experience with better intuition as to who her next boyfriend should be.
Thank you so much #NetGalley #Bookouture #FirstDate #SueWatson for the advanced copy.
All Hannah wants in life is to fall in love and settle down with someone. She wants her happily ever after. Unfortunately, most of her relationships end badly with some such as her last being very bitter.
Through her best friend's prodding, she decides to join a dating app and seems to strike gold on her first pick. Alex, her date, is a lawyer, wants the same number of children, even the same type of dog! His work compliments her work as a social worker. They both had somewhat bad childhoods and can relate to one another on so many levels.
They have an immediate connection and he invites her over to his house for dinner. During dinner, although still smitten, Hannah sees perhaps a few tiny cracks, but chalks them up to getting to know someone new.
On the other hand, Hannah's friends and workmates seem to feel she is jumping into this relationship too quickly. Perhaps she should slow down. But Hannah truly believes he is the one. It doesn't matter that he possibly has hidden a few issues from his past relationship from her. She herself thinks her ex-boyfriend could be stalking her so she somewhat understands. Hannah chalks it up to being in a new relationship and not wanting to mess things up. Or maybe he is just trying too hard.
But then Hannah begins to run out of excuses for Alex's very odd behavior. She finally admits to herself, something her best friend has been constantly telling her, that she could be dating someone who is a bit crazy. And now not only are her friends concerned, but she is as well!
When strange this begin to happen to Hannah she becomes convinced that not only is Alex not her dream boyfriend, but possibly a sociopathic stalking nightmare! It seems he wants her all to himself and will go to any length to have her. What has she gotten herself into?? How on earth does she get herself out?
As First Date races to its highly unanticipated, jaw-dropping conclusion, we can only hope Hannah will come out of this experience with better intuition as to who her next boyfriend should be.
Thank you so much #NetGalley #Bookouture #FirstDate #SueWatson for the advanced copy,
Merged review:
First Date is an intense psychological thriller on steroids with one shocking revelation after another culminating into an explosive ending!
All Hannah wants in life is to fall in love and settle down with someone. She wants her happily ever after. Unfortunately, most of her relationships end badly with some such as her last being very bitter.
Through her best friend's prodding, she decides to join a dating app and seems to strike gold on her first pick. Alex, her date, is a lawyer, wants the same number of children, even the same type of dog! His work compliments her work as a social worker. They both had somewhat bad childhoods and can relate to one another on so many levels.
They have an immediate connection and he invites her over to his house for dinner. During dinner, although still smitten, Hannah sees perhaps a few tiny cracks, but chalks them up to getting to know someone new.
On the other hand, Hannah's friends and workmates seem to feel she is jumping into this relationship too quickly. Perhaps she should slow down. But Hannah truly believes he is the one. It doesn't matter that he possibly has hidden a few issues from his past relationship from her. She herself thinks her ex-boyfriend could be stalking her so she somewhat understands. Hannah chalks it up to being in a new relationship and not wanting to mess things up. Or maybe he is just trying too hard.
But then Hannah begins to run out of excuses for Alex's very odd behavior. She finally admits to herself, something her best friend has been constantly telling her, that she could be dating someone who is a bit crazy. And now not only are her friends concerned, but she is as well!
When strange this begin to happen to Hannah she becomes convinced that not only is Alex not her dream boyfriend, but possibly a sociopathic stalking nightmare! It seems he wants her all to himself and will go to any length to have her. What has she gotten herself into?? How on earth does she get herself out?
As First Date races to its highly unanticipated, jaw-dropping conclusion, we can only hope Hannah will come out of this experience with better intuition as to who her next boyfriend should be.
Thank you so much #NetGalley #Bookouture #FirstDate #SueWatson for the advanced copy.
January 16, 2021
Dreadful.
Some good things, obviously ... I’m sure. I just can’t remember what the good bits were because they were buried under a sludge of annoyance that made me scream at the book.
In brief:
1. Hannah. Ignores every single red flag. Annoying. Talks like a relationship agony aunt. However, she’s got an interesting sounding past but was never fleshed out enough to really learn much. She could have been so much better.
2. Alex. Made out to be the obvious bad guy. Unbelievably needy and had zero plus points.
3. The twists / parts designed to elicit tension. When a book sets up from page one just how badly written the plot is, every instance that might be sinister or threatening in another book just comes off as “oh yeah, something else has happened.” Hannah’s car, the perfume, the work night out ... So tedious.
4. Hannah’s colleagues. Harry seems likeable but is clearly hiding things. Jas (I assume) is written to be a quirky loveable woman who may have a hidden side to her but she’s so badly written that it comes off as a split personality. As for Sameera / Sameena (I genuinely cannot remember the poor woman’s name because she barely registered) ... she deserved much better than just being an extra in any of the scenes she was in.
5. Chloe and Tom. Chloe’s story added zero to both Hannah and the plot, and could have been left out, or actually been given more. And Tom - turns up halfway through and is never head of anything. Everything mentioned about his behaviour conflicts with everything else. No consistency. Like Sameera, he deserved so much better.
6. The twist ending. The ending could have been so much better - it built up to what you *thought* it was going to be, then flipped it on its head (still without any of the required tension, so I was still fairly bored). But then the car, and the altercation and it just ... ended. BUT WAIT! There’s an epilogue. And then another ending from a different person’s point of view. And then ANOTHER ending! Here’s an idea - have the twist, but make it scary. Then the altercation and the car. Then Hannah’s new ending and THEN the POV from a different character (hard writing this without spoilers but if you’ve got half a brain, you’ll have figured it all out from the beginning).
I’m pretty sure this review is terribly written itself but DAMN this book was awful and I’m writing it in a wave of anger. Sorry. Please save yourself the time and money and go and read any of the other “unputdownable” thrillers that are out there, because even the worst of them will be better than this.
Some good things, obviously ... I’m sure. I just can’t remember what the good bits were because they were buried under a sludge of annoyance that made me scream at the book.
In brief:
1. Hannah. Ignores every single red flag. Annoying. Talks like a relationship agony aunt. However, she’s got an interesting sounding past but was never fleshed out enough to really learn much. She could have been so much better.
2. Alex. Made out to be the obvious bad guy. Unbelievably needy and had zero plus points.
3. The twists / parts designed to elicit tension. When a book sets up from page one just how badly written the plot is, every instance that might be sinister or threatening in another book just comes off as “oh yeah, something else has happened.” Hannah’s car, the perfume, the work night out ... So tedious.
4. Hannah’s colleagues. Harry seems likeable but is clearly hiding things. Jas (I assume) is written to be a quirky loveable woman who may have a hidden side to her but she’s so badly written that it comes off as a split personality. As for Sameera / Sameena (I genuinely cannot remember the poor woman’s name because she barely registered) ... she deserved much better than just being an extra in any of the scenes she was in.
5. Chloe and Tom. Chloe’s story added zero to both Hannah and the plot, and could have been left out, or actually been given more. And Tom - turns up halfway through and is never head of anything. Everything mentioned about his behaviour conflicts with everything else. No consistency. Like Sameera, he deserved so much better.
6. The twist ending. The ending could have been so much better - it built up to what you *thought* it was going to be, then flipped it on its head (still without any of the required tension, so I was still fairly bored). But then the car, and the altercation and it just ... ended. BUT WAIT! There’s an epilogue. And then another ending from a different person’s point of view. And then ANOTHER ending! Here’s an idea - have the twist, but make it scary. Then the altercation and the car. Then Hannah’s new ending and THEN the POV from a different character (hard writing this without spoilers but if you’ve got half a brain, you’ll have figured it all out from the beginning).
I’m pretty sure this review is terribly written itself but DAMN this book was awful and I’m writing it in a wave of anger. Sorry. Please save yourself the time and money and go and read any of the other “unputdownable” thrillers that are out there, because even the worst of them will be better than this.
October 10, 2020
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
But that didn't stop Hannah.
As a huge Sue Watson fan, I literally pounced on the chance to take part in this blog tour, thereby requesting the book. I've not read her romance books...but her thrillers? She has the genre mastered! And she almost always creates a character that gets so under your skin you want to throttle them!
Enter Hannah. Thirty six, single, somewhat content...but lonely. After coming out of a loveless relationship where she felt taken for granted, she's content with her life in her messy little flat and her job as a social worker. Her life is a long way from her unstable childhood growing up in the foster care system. But she secretly feels that she might never find that "Mr Right" and fall in love.
Until her best friend, and boss, Jas encourages her to join a dating app "Meet Your Match". After a few hilarious experiences with some of the dates - from one of them shaving his legs and dressing in women's clothes to another wanting to brush her hair with his mother's hairbrush, who has been dead ten years - Hannah just can't find anyone that she connects with. And then, she meets Alex. Not only is he gorgeous but he loves the same music as her, the same food, even the same wine. They both want a golden Labrador, three kids and escaping to a cosy cottage in coastal Devon. It's like he's made for her. Soul mates. This in itself is a red flag. No one is THAT perfect...surely.
The morning after their first date, Hannah comes in to work all loved up and on cloud nine. She regales Jas with every aspect of their perfect evening, oblivious to her friend's reservations. Hannah believes him to be kind and considerate but Jas isn't so sure. But Hannah has waited too long for "Mr Right" that she isn't going to let her friend's unfounded suspicions deter her. After all, Jas hasn't even met him and already she is pointing out "red flags". But Hannah refuses to see them, perceiving "love and kindness" for what Jas recognised as "possessive and controlling". And it only got worse.
When a gorgeous bunch of roses arrive at work, her colleagues start jeering "he's a keeper" and "I don't recall my husband every buying me flowers and we've been married 30 years!" but Hannah is secretly thrilled by Alex's attentive thoughtfulness. Until she opens the attached card. The message on there is so bitter and threatening even I recoiled when I read it. Hannah's immediate thoughts go to her ex Tom, who took their break-up badly. But I wasn't so sure...and I don't think Jas was either. And then climbing into her car one evening after work, she can smell a woman's perfume and the blanket she keeps on the back seat has moved. Who has broken into her car...and why?
But it doesn't stop there.
Soon Hannah is jumping at shadows in the belief that Alex's crazy ex is wanting to harm her, justifying his appearance at every place she goes. She can't even enjoy one night out with her friends without Alex turning up, citing "Helen was in the area" and he wanted to make sure she was safe. In reality, what was screaming at me by this point was "coercive control" and that he just wanted Hannah to himself and couldn't bare her having a life that didn't include him. But Alex was creating a world that just involved him and Hannah...but Hannah couldn't see it. Being all loved up made her blind to his faults...and even when she did begin to question his behaviour she then talked herself out of it and justified it instead!
Hannah has to be the dumbest, naivest, most brainless woman I have ever read. To have all those red flags and STILL she didn't see them. Who is that stupid? OK, so he was to perfect on their first date...but then who isn't? It's all about being on your best behaviour to impress. But Alex didn't just impress, he reeled her in without even trying. But my first real red flag was when she was "lost" trying to find her way to his house...and he suggested finding her through a location app. I was like NOOOO! Don't be so stupid, woman!! Who would even allow location access to their phone to another person...a person you had only just met. Hannah. Then he double locks the doors, keeping the keys in his pocket. Another red flag. And this is just their third date! The rest of the red flags just keep coming thick and fast...while Hannah remains thick and slow.
Honestly, Hannah doesn't belong in a thriller. She belongs in a rom-com or some chick lit where everyone lives happily ever after. I didn't dislike her. I just thought she was an idiot. And Alex? Don't get me started on him. Manipulative, possessive and controlling should cover it. But she's a woman who's meant to have a brain...clearly she didn't throughout most of the story. I would have left Alex long ago if I were Hannah. I don't care what sob story he fed me. He lied, he stalked, he lied, he was overbearing, he lied, he lied, he lied. What part of that did she not get? Even after he was caught out, she continued making excuses for him. And when she finally did show some gumption, I didn't cheer exactly...more like shouted "about bloody time, woman!" I didn't particularly like either of them but perhaps we weren't meant to.
The ending, when it came, gave a shocking twist that most won't see coming. I admit to getting an inkling towards the end in about the third last chapter, suspecting there was something else at play that we weren't seeing. And when it was revealed I wasn't surprised but I was shocked that I hadn't seen it coming before I did. But in true Sue Watson style, it didn't end there. She gives us a final twist at the very end that brings everything to a neat and satisfying conclusion. Well done, Ms Watson!
Suffice to say, as irritating as Hannah was, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thankfully she didn't get under my skin like Ella did in her previous thriller "The Sister in Law" . Ella was smart, but Hannah was naive to the point of stupidity. I don't think I can say that enough because I doubt any woman would ignore all warning signs and red flags that Hannah did.
A compelling read that pushes all your buttons, FIRST DATE is addictive and fast paced from beginning to end. It may even seem a little predictable as the reader can clearly see what's happening even if the blinkered main character can't, but don't let that predictability fool you...because nothing is as it seems.
A clever and well written domestic thriller, FIRST DATE is a gripping read of twisted obsession that will send you through a range of emotions and leave you shocked by the end.
Such a brilliant read I read in one sitting...with an even better ending!
Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Sue Watson's addictive thriller FIRST DATE.
I would like to thank #SueWatson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #FirstDate in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
But that didn't stop Hannah.
As a huge Sue Watson fan, I literally pounced on the chance to take part in this blog tour, thereby requesting the book. I've not read her romance books...but her thrillers? She has the genre mastered! And she almost always creates a character that gets so under your skin you want to throttle them!
Enter Hannah. Thirty six, single, somewhat content...but lonely. After coming out of a loveless relationship where she felt taken for granted, she's content with her life in her messy little flat and her job as a social worker. Her life is a long way from her unstable childhood growing up in the foster care system. But she secretly feels that she might never find that "Mr Right" and fall in love.
Until her best friend, and boss, Jas encourages her to join a dating app "Meet Your Match". After a few hilarious experiences with some of the dates - from one of them shaving his legs and dressing in women's clothes to another wanting to brush her hair with his mother's hairbrush, who has been dead ten years - Hannah just can't find anyone that she connects with. And then, she meets Alex. Not only is he gorgeous but he loves the same music as her, the same food, even the same wine. They both want a golden Labrador, three kids and escaping to a cosy cottage in coastal Devon. It's like he's made for her. Soul mates. This in itself is a red flag. No one is THAT perfect...surely.
The morning after their first date, Hannah comes in to work all loved up and on cloud nine. She regales Jas with every aspect of their perfect evening, oblivious to her friend's reservations. Hannah believes him to be kind and considerate but Jas isn't so sure. But Hannah has waited too long for "Mr Right" that she isn't going to let her friend's unfounded suspicions deter her. After all, Jas hasn't even met him and already she is pointing out "red flags". But Hannah refuses to see them, perceiving "love and kindness" for what Jas recognised as "possessive and controlling". And it only got worse.
When a gorgeous bunch of roses arrive at work, her colleagues start jeering "he's a keeper" and "I don't recall my husband every buying me flowers and we've been married 30 years!" but Hannah is secretly thrilled by Alex's attentive thoughtfulness. Until she opens the attached card. The message on there is so bitter and threatening even I recoiled when I read it. Hannah's immediate thoughts go to her ex Tom, who took their break-up badly. But I wasn't so sure...and I don't think Jas was either. And then climbing into her car one evening after work, she can smell a woman's perfume and the blanket she keeps on the back seat has moved. Who has broken into her car...and why?
But it doesn't stop there.
Soon Hannah is jumping at shadows in the belief that Alex's crazy ex is wanting to harm her, justifying his appearance at every place she goes. She can't even enjoy one night out with her friends without Alex turning up, citing "Helen was in the area" and he wanted to make sure she was safe. In reality, what was screaming at me by this point was "coercive control" and that he just wanted Hannah to himself and couldn't bare her having a life that didn't include him. But Alex was creating a world that just involved him and Hannah...but Hannah couldn't see it. Being all loved up made her blind to his faults...and even when she did begin to question his behaviour she then talked herself out of it and justified it instead!
Hannah has to be the dumbest, naivest, most brainless woman I have ever read. To have all those red flags and STILL she didn't see them. Who is that stupid? OK, so he was to perfect on their first date...but then who isn't? It's all about being on your best behaviour to impress. But Alex didn't just impress, he reeled her in without even trying. But my first real red flag was when she was "lost" trying to find her way to his house...and he suggested finding her through a location app. I was like NOOOO! Don't be so stupid, woman!! Who would even allow location access to their phone to another person...a person you had only just met. Hannah. Then he double locks the doors, keeping the keys in his pocket. Another red flag. And this is just their third date! The rest of the red flags just keep coming thick and fast...while Hannah remains thick and slow.
Honestly, Hannah doesn't belong in a thriller. She belongs in a rom-com or some chick lit where everyone lives happily ever after. I didn't dislike her. I just thought she was an idiot. And Alex? Don't get me started on him. Manipulative, possessive and controlling should cover it. But she's a woman who's meant to have a brain...clearly she didn't throughout most of the story. I would have left Alex long ago if I were Hannah. I don't care what sob story he fed me. He lied, he stalked, he lied, he was overbearing, he lied, he lied, he lied. What part of that did she not get? Even after he was caught out, she continued making excuses for him. And when she finally did show some gumption, I didn't cheer exactly...more like shouted "about bloody time, woman!" I didn't particularly like either of them but perhaps we weren't meant to.
The ending, when it came, gave a shocking twist that most won't see coming. I admit to getting an inkling towards the end in about the third last chapter, suspecting there was something else at play that we weren't seeing. And when it was revealed I wasn't surprised but I was shocked that I hadn't seen it coming before I did. But in true Sue Watson style, it didn't end there. She gives us a final twist at the very end that brings everything to a neat and satisfying conclusion. Well done, Ms Watson!
Suffice to say, as irritating as Hannah was, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thankfully she didn't get under my skin like Ella did in her previous thriller "The Sister in Law" . Ella was smart, but Hannah was naive to the point of stupidity. I don't think I can say that enough because I doubt any woman would ignore all warning signs and red flags that Hannah did.
A compelling read that pushes all your buttons, FIRST DATE is addictive and fast paced from beginning to end. It may even seem a little predictable as the reader can clearly see what's happening even if the blinkered main character can't, but don't let that predictability fool you...because nothing is as it seems.
A clever and well written domestic thriller, FIRST DATE is a gripping read of twisted obsession that will send you through a range of emotions and leave you shocked by the end.
Such a brilliant read I read in one sitting...with an even better ending!
Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Sue Watson's addictive thriller FIRST DATE.
I would like to thank #SueWatson, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #FirstDate in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 27, 2020
First Date by Sue Watson is the first book from author I have read, and I am finding hard to put into words how I feel about this book.
Hannah Weston has not the best of luck with relationships. The last one she had with Tom she had to ask him to move out. So, she decides to use a dating app where she meets Alex. Alex seems to be the perfect boyfriend. Wanting the same things in life, three kids, a Labrador and a holiday in a cottage in Devon. The first date goes well she thinks that he maybe the ‘one’. But boss and bestie Jasmine tells her to slow down and see what happens. As time goes on and the relationship deepens. Alex seems to want to spend more time with her and doesn’t want her to go out with her friends. But Jasmine thinks that Alex is being really controlling and stalking her after getting caught following her and he is not as perfect as he seems. Hannah thinks that he just cares for her and that’s why he does what he does. When Hannah finds out that Alex is still married and that his wife maybe stalking her you would think that the relationship would end but, Hannah just carries on oblivious to everything.
The First date is a cleverly written thriller from the author that I could not put down and I am sure will be reading some of her other books. Beside that what can I say about the main character. Hannah irritated the hell out of me. So much that I had to keep stopping reading and pause for a few minutes and then carried on. She was is so gullible and I could not believe that she went on a weekend away with Alex after all the things he has done. Whilst reading I thought are you serious? But I did like the cheeky twist at the end, 4 stars from me.
Hannah Weston has not the best of luck with relationships. The last one she had with Tom she had to ask him to move out. So, she decides to use a dating app where she meets Alex. Alex seems to be the perfect boyfriend. Wanting the same things in life, three kids, a Labrador and a holiday in a cottage in Devon. The first date goes well she thinks that he maybe the ‘one’. But boss and bestie Jasmine tells her to slow down and see what happens. As time goes on and the relationship deepens. Alex seems to want to spend more time with her and doesn’t want her to go out with her friends. But Jasmine thinks that Alex is being really controlling and stalking her after getting caught following her and he is not as perfect as he seems. Hannah thinks that he just cares for her and that’s why he does what he does. When Hannah finds out that Alex is still married and that his wife maybe stalking her you would think that the relationship would end but, Hannah just carries on oblivious to everything.
The First date is a cleverly written thriller from the author that I could not put down and I am sure will be reading some of her other books. Beside that what can I say about the main character. Hannah irritated the hell out of me. So much that I had to keep stopping reading and pause for a few minutes and then carried on. She was is so gullible and I could not believe that she went on a weekend away with Alex after all the things he has done. Whilst reading I thought are you serious? But I did like the cheeky twist at the end, 4 stars from me.
September 19, 2020
A big thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Sue for letting me read this in return for an honest review!
I'm going to start with this....
‘Oh shit, he’s been here too,’ she says. ‘Your Alex has let himself in and tidied away the bloody biscuits.’
Because amongst everything that made me laugh.
The first half of the book was rather slow but I understand it had to build up a relationship with Hannah and Alex to be able to show all the "crazy" and the downward spiral of events throughout.
The last half is where this significantly improves however I couldn't seem to understand Hannah's naivety.
Alex's emotional control and strange behaviour just amplifies right up to the shocking twist ending!
After everything and the realisation following the shock twist this sentence really stood out to me "We were little more than children without roots, both searching for a family and a home, and believing we’d found that in each other."
From loathing alex to feeling incredibly sorry for him just like that.... incredible writing!
The last page though 👌 I could feel the emotion in that moment.
All in all a beautifully written story that I cannot really fault, a gripping read from start to finish.
I'm going to start with this....
‘Oh shit, he’s been here too,’ she says. ‘Your Alex has let himself in and tidied away the bloody biscuits.’
Because amongst everything that made me laugh.
The first half of the book was rather slow but I understand it had to build up a relationship with Hannah and Alex to be able to show all the "crazy" and the downward spiral of events throughout.
The last half is where this significantly improves however I couldn't seem to understand Hannah's naivety.
Alex's emotional control and strange behaviour just amplifies right up to the shocking twist ending!
After everything and the realisation following the shock twist this sentence really stood out to me "We were little more than children without roots, both searching for a family and a home, and believing we’d found that in each other."
From loathing alex to feeling incredibly sorry for him just like that.... incredible writing!
The last page though 👌 I could feel the emotion in that moment.
All in all a beautifully written story that I cannot really fault, a gripping read from start to finish.
October 10, 2020
First Date by Sue Watson
Pub Date 10/16/2020
I finished this book last month but I still owed the publisher and author a review on this one.
First Date was an absolutely jaw dropping psychological thriller. The protagonist in this book was ugh annoying af lol. Who falls in love on their first date? Hannah does. Hannah has been waiting for a man like Alex all her life. But Alex has been waiting too. I think I was annoyed by Hannah because she let so much slide, like these aren't gaint red flags.
Alex is weird, obsessive, and just not right. Talk about some unreliable characters.
This book had some very clever and unexpected twist to it that left me floored. That ending omg!!!
This is my first book by Sue Watson but I will definitely be on the look out for more of her books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of First Date.
Pub Date 10/16/2020
I finished this book last month but I still owed the publisher and author a review on this one.
First Date was an absolutely jaw dropping psychological thriller. The protagonist in this book was ugh annoying af lol. Who falls in love on their first date? Hannah does. Hannah has been waiting for a man like Alex all her life. But Alex has been waiting too. I think I was annoyed by Hannah because she let so much slide, like these aren't gaint red flags.
Alex is weird, obsessive, and just not right. Talk about some unreliable characters.
This book had some very clever and unexpected twist to it that left me floored. That ending omg!!!
This is my first book by Sue Watson but I will definitely be on the look out for more of her books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of First Date.
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