Darren O'Sullivan

I received a free e-copy of Closer Than You Think by Darren O’Sullivan from Net Galley and HQ Digital in exchange for my review.

I enjoyed this quick little thriller for the most part. There were times I caught myself wondering if certain character behaviors were a little over the top, but each time, I made myself consider what I would do in her place, and the answer is, I’m just thankful I don’t know the answer to that question.

I love the support system that Claire has around her, and how much love is present in the book as a whole. There are some really great triumphant moments for her, and reading them was very enjoyable.

I went back and forth a lot on my overall rating for this book. I would think 3 stars, then something would push it to 4, then something else would knock it back down. What finally decided it for me was the ending - I just didn’t much care for it. But still, overall, I did like the book and the story.… (mere)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-5/5/18

This was a fabulous edge of your seat read that I can't really say too much about without giving away the whole plotline so I'm going to try to keep it as vaguish as possible.
So this was my second book by this particular author and "Close Your Eyes" had the slight edge for me in terms of enjoyment.
It was a fast-paced race against the clock as Father and family man Daniel attempts to unravel the Mystery that is his past.
If he fails; well the cost will be the ultimate punishment; his family.
Daniel suffering from amnesia from an accident fifteen years previous is sent on an action-filled journey of self-discovery where everything he thought he knew and more might just be the biggest lie of them all.
This is told from dual POV alternating Daniel then Ex-wife Rachel and later we also get a brief glimpse into the head of Daniels Son Thomas.
The main characters here are few with "Close Your Eyes" keeping the main focus on Daniel, Rachel and Thomas.
These three are also joined initially by the supporting cast of Rachels husband Sean and Daniels girlfriend Katie as they have formed for the sake of Thomas's happiness an almost unconventional family setup that seems to work for them.
everyone else involved is then just thrown right into the mix also stirring and muddying the already churned waters causing a sense of confusion and even doubt especially for Daniel himself.
This was ramped throughout and as each new lead and corner was turned my heart was totally in my throat; I felt almost like I was undertaking this path with poor Daniel the helplessness he must have felt alongside his own fear and panic.
The emotions experienced by Daniel as well as Rachel and Thomas, well I felt like I was there in the moment with them, so fantastically did this portray the rawness and brutality of feeling here.
This went to places I wasn't expecting shocking me completely.
Dipping me so low at times with where this dared to venture I couldn't help but think the worst.
This truly sank to depths of darkness that I wasn't quite expecting leaving me bereft in my feelings of despair.
I did have kinda an inkling where things seemed to be heading, but this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
I also really liked the eventual conclusion here it gave me a much-needed sense of satisfaction; Much more so than using some clever gimic to devastate and shock the reader.
The ending here gave me an overall sense of justice which was ultimately want I wanted most.
Why then a rating of four over five you may ask if I liked this so much?
Well, two things really and I will try to explain without letting any cats out the bag; the first one here is relatively easy The Son Thomas; I thought he seemed much younger than what his actual age was.
I'm a mother of Five myself so hardly a novice when it comes to kids and in my opinion, Thomas didn't seem like any six-year-old that I have ever met.
If I had to pinpoint his actual age from his behaviour and actions it seemed to me more like four; just an opinion though.
The second thing and this is more tricky to explain without disclosing too much but I'll try; I never quite understood the timeline here; why this particular moment over any other logically it didn't really make sense why this is happening now rather than another moment past or even future.
Especially with Daniel starting to recall moments from his past.
This really bugged me like a lot and I couldn't stop myself overanalyzing the whys.
And while I'm on a roll the reasons behind all this for me were frankly lacklustre in nature and I wanted a more satisfying overall explanation for the completely unnecessary reactions and actions here.
But I suppose there wouldnt be much of a story if it was actually done my way with some bloody logic.
You will get more of what I'm trying to convey here when you've read this for yourself.
Over than the above I really did enjoy this it was a really engaging piece of fiction that kept me on my toes throughout; happy to recommend this.
So I was provided with an ARC of "Close Your Eyes" By Netgalley of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.


Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com… (mere)

Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com


I really wasn't expecting much when I picked up Our little secret By Darren O'Sullivan, not sure why that was but I got a very pleasant surprise indeed as Our little secret is quite the sparkling gem.
From the moment I started this, I felt such a compulsion to read on, the way its written it gripped me in its Talon's making me a part of the story from the onset and I was just so motivated to find out the outcome for all involved.
It forged such an emotional connection with me with its flawed but so understandable characters and I found it such addictive reading indeed.
I must admit I did guess quite early on what the twist was but that really didn't affect my overall enjoyment factor at all.
So Our Little Secret tells the story of the night, Sarah happens across Chris at the train station, setting into motion a chain of events after she unexpectedly saves his life.
In return, Chris himself becomes just as determined to keep Sarah safe from the secrets he holds.
As I said earlier I quickly twigged what was occurring but I still really enjoyed this splendidly told mystery.
So Our little Secret quickly drew me in, the writing was fabulous, it had intrigue and mystery in bundles, was really well thought out with multi dimensional characters, that you believed easily and an overall overcast of doom that really got to you.
So would I recommend this?
Well yeah!! Course I would.
Our Little Secret By Darren O'Sullivan doesn't overcomplicate things and as a result, it works
It shows the intricacies of human behaviour lying just beneath the surface and the everyday masks we conceal ourselves behind.
It was a fascinating read I really enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an arc of Our Little Secret. This is my own unbiased and honest opinion.


Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/… (mere)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-5/5/18

This was a fabulous edge of your seat read that I can't really say too much about without giving away the whole plotline so I'm going to try to keep it as vaguish as possible.
So this was my second book by this particular author and "Close Your Eyes" had the slight edge for me in terms of enjoyment.
It was a fast-paced race against the clock as Father and family man Daniel attempts to unravel the Mystery that is his past.
If he fails; well the cost will be the ultimate punishment; his family.
Daniel suffering from amnesia from an accident fifteen years previous is sent on an action-filled journey of self-discovery where everything he thought he knew and more might just be the biggest lie of them all.
This is told from dual POV alternating Daniel then Ex-wife Rachel and later we also get a brief glimpse into the head of Daniels Son Thomas.
The main characters here are few with "Close Your Eyes" keeping the main focus on Daniel, Rachel and Thomas.
These three are also joined initially by the supporting cast of Rachels husband Sean and Daniels girlfriend Katie as they have formed for the sake of Thomas's happiness an almost unconventional family setup that seems to work for them.
everyone else involved is then just thrown right into the mix also stirring and muddying the already churned waters causing a sense of confusion and even doubt especially for Daniel himself.
This was ramped throughout and as each new lead and corner was turned my heart was totally in my throat; I felt almost like I was undertaking this path with poor Daniel the helplessness he must have felt alongside his own fear and panic.
The emotions experienced by Daniel as well as Rachel and Thomas, well I felt like I was there in the moment with them, so fantastically did this portray the rawness and brutality of feeling here.
This went to places I wasn't expecting shocking me completely.
Dipping me so low at times with where this dared to venture I couldn't help but think the worst.
This truly sank to depths of darkness that I wasn't quite expecting leaving me bereft in my feelings of despair.
I did have kinda an inkling where things seemed to be heading, but this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
I also really liked the eventual conclusion here it gave me a much-needed sense of satisfaction; Much more so than using some clever gimic to devastate and shock the reader.
The ending here gave me an overall sense of justice which was ultimately want I wanted most.
Why then a rating of four over five you may ask if I liked this so much?
Well, two things really and I will try to explain without letting any cats out the bag; the first one here is relatively easy The Son Thomas; I thought he seemed much younger than what his actual age was.
I'm a mother of Five myself so hardly a novice when it comes to kids and in my opinion, Thomas didn't seem like any six-year-old that I have ever met.
If I had to pinpoint his actual age from his behaviour and actions it seemed to me more like four; just an opinion though.
The second thing and this is more tricky to explain without disclosing too much but I'll try; I never quite understood the timeline here; why this particular moment over any other logically it didn't really make sense why this is happening now rather than another moment past or even future.
Especially with Daniel starting to recall moments from his past.
This really bugged me like a lot and I couldn't stop myself overanalyzing the whys.
And while I'm on a roll the reasons behind all this for me were frankly lacklustre in nature and I wanted a more satisfying overall explanation for the completely unnecessary reactions and actions here.
But I suppose there wouldnt be much of a story if it was actually done my way with some bloody logic.
You will get more of what I'm trying to convey here when you've read this for yourself.
Over than the above I really did enjoy this it was a really engaging piece of fiction that kept me on my toes throughout; happy to recommend this.
So I was provided with an ARC of "Close Your Eyes" By Netgalley of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.


Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com… (mere)