Review: The Book of You, Claire Kendal

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review*
The Book of You, Claire Kendal
His name is Rafe, and he is everywhere Clarissa turns. At the university where she works. Her favorite sewing shop. The train station. Outside her apartment. His messages choke her voice mail; his gifts litter her mailbox. Since that one regrettable night, his obsession with her has grown, becoming more terrifying with each passing day. And as Rafe has made clear, he will never let her go.
Clarissa’s only escape from this harrowing nightmare is inside a courtroom—where she is a juror on a trial involving a victim whose experiences eerily parallel her own. There she finds some peace and even makes new friends, including an attractive widower named Robert, whose caring attentions make her feel desired and safe. But as a disturbingly violent crime unfolds in the courtroom, Clarissa realizes that to survive she must expose Rafe herself. Conceiving a plan, she begins collecting the evidence of Rafe’s madness to use against him—a record of terror that will force her to relive every excruciating moment she desperately wants to forget. Proof that will reveal the twisted, macabre fairy tale that Rafe has spun around them . . .

Claire Kendal was born in America and educated in England. Claire teaches English Literature and Creative Writing, and lives in the South West with her family.

The synopsis of the book pulled me the moment I first read it. I love a good psychological thriller and this one sounded as if it had all the ingredients.
From page one I was pulled in. By page 10 people in my surrounding were not able to get contact with me and when I had to put the book down at some point I was not able to forget the story. The Book of You is a thriller and it is totally working on your emotions. Between the journal where Clarissa tells how much Rafe is bothering her and the story in third person about the trial and normal day activities, Clarissa felt like a terrified woman with an everyday life. The idea I could be her or actually any woman could be her was easily formed in my brain. Rafe is seen mostly trough Clarissa's eyes where he already is the monster and the freak but still at points the story shows how extremely charming he can be and how good he is in the manipulation of her surroundings.
Though the end of the book helps to calm down your nerves a bit after reading such an intense story I would not have mind if it would have stopped a few pages earlier.

The Book of You
Author: Claire Kendal
Publisher: Harper
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
ISBN-10: 0062297600
ISBN-13: 9780062297600
Harper: eBook | Hardcover | Paperback
The Book of You
5 stars

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Jen G.
AUTHOR
13 May, 2014 delete

This sounds like another thriller I might like...but I think I'd have to read it during the day only!

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Anonymous
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13 May, 2014 delete

Oh yay! I have a copy of this, too, and you're the second person who totally raved about it! Guess I'll push it higher up my list!

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Melinda
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30 May, 2014 delete

This sounds like one I would devour. I have recently really enjoyed the psychological thrillers I've picked up. I want to read this one!

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