The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney Published by Ballantine Books on January 24th 2017
Genres: Thriller, Psychological
Pages: 320
Format: eBook, Kindle Book, Audiobook
Source: NetGalley & Ballantine Books
Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.
The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.
EmmaReeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.
JaneAfter a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.
**Special thanks to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
The Girl Before is a psychological thriller that rises to its hype. I enjoyed every page of this thriller.
The story is narrated by the two main characters Emma and Jane in a typical Now & Then style (where Emma is “then” and Jane is “now”). So, both girls are looking for a new place to move in. Each one suffering some personal trauma and seeking a new start in a new home. After a lot of search, each in her own time finally reaches One Folgate Street, which is beyond perfect. It’s very calming with perfect design. A masterpiece. A dream comes true. However, the owner has terms. Very strict rules actually. As bizarre as this seems, each girl, desperate to be the tenant of this masterpiece, approves to the terms and gets into the process of the application and interview hoping to be the lucky accepted tenant. And what a happy surprise for each to be asked to an interview with the owner and then accepted as the new tenant.
Jane is attracted to the handsome seductive owner at once. He is too. And thus, their relation starts. But Jane has her doubts when she knows about the previous tenant and the mysterious crime. As she searches for the truth, she takes the reader with her in a roller coaster of twists and turns where nothing is what it seems to be.
I loved this rollercoaster a lot. I tried to be the smart girl all along and guess what’s next. Whenever I thought “That’s it. Got you!!” I found my guessing to be wrong. Ha! I always love the double narration and the now and then style. I was caught in and desperate to know what’s next.
The handsome seductive owner of One Folgate Street is another issue. He is dark, mysterious yet you can’t help but love him. This is one of the few times when you just like the supposedly villain of the novel. Just like in “Jane Eyre”, or was I the only one who loved Rochester?
I also loved the End. I will not be the silly girl who spoils it for you. I will only say that I liked it.
The audiobook was also great. I loved listening to it going back and forth between the audiobook and the eBook.
Finally, for those who enjoy psychological thrillers, you should read The Girl Before. I highly recommend it.