CLOSE MY EYES by BEVERLEY HARVEY

My Rating: ★★★

Beth's life changes with a random chance sighting: a face from her past, someone Beth hasn’t thought about for years. She suddenly starts getting awful flashes of an event from her past – a vicious attack from an unknown person. And she thinks it could be more than just a nightmare. But how could she forget something this big?

Gemma, one of Beth's closest friends, is married to another childhood friend of Beth, Guy. What had promised to be a happy married life has soon turned into a nightmare for Gemma. Guy is a downright bully and Gemma has no one to turn to for help.

More details start to come back to Beth – details she knows she couldn’t have invented. But these are people who have known her all her life and have her best interests at heart. Who should she believe? And is she prepared for what she will find? Because the truth will ruin someone’s life – and they will stop at nothing to keep the past forgotten.

This was a very intriguing read!

I enjoyed the way the plot was narrated in alternating chapters between Gemma and Beth, it helped to build up the suspense and thrill in the air. Excellent character development as the plot progressed. The main issues of domestic violence and trauma have been dealt with such care and importance.

In terms of the main characters, I was glad when Beth and Gemma decided to stand up for themselves. Guy was one horrible and obnoxious character.

Even though there were no major twists in the plot and the ending is on expected lines, it still makes for an engaging read!

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!