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.***
'I've always wanted a yellow labrador,' I say, trying to bite into a piece of garlic bread without butter running down my chin. CHAPTER ONE
***
(@bookouture, 16 October 2020, 328 pages, ebook, #ARC from the publisher via # NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed, #BlogTour 19 October)
***
***
First Date blew me away. It starts off well and quite 'nice', realistic characters, possible cute-meet romance. You could be fooled into thinking you're about to embark of a love story or something similar. The menace is very subtle and woven throughout the story. Alex is perfect. Who wouldn't fall in love with such a kind, charming and considerate person? The fact he is so nice and sweet should have set off red flags for Hannah, nobody is that 'nice'. Her friends are concerned for her but she's too starry eyed to see the truth in their words. Alex is a bit too much, obsessive, domineering, fixated on her, doesn't like her to leave his sight and freaks out because she wants to go on a night out with her friends. You see where this is going? The fact his unable ex-wife is stalking Hannah is the least of her worries. It takes a while for the penny to drop with Hannah. This is a compulsive, addictive read.