Never Let You Go

Never Let You Go
-Caleb Crowe

This was the first book by Caleb Crowe for me, and I went into it without reading reviews to avoid any bias. While I have mixed feelings about the book, there’s no denying that Crowe has a unique style that captivates readers. His writing draws you in from the start, making it hard to stop reading. He is truly a literary legend in the making.

The story centers around Ariana (aka Tracey - FMC) and Daniel (MMC), both with deep childhood traumas that create a strong bond built on Ariana’s intense protectiveness for Daniel. Tragedy strikes, separating them for ten years, but fate brings them back together in a slow-burning, dark, twisted, and mentally suspenseful reunion.

Never Let You Go is a whirlwind of emotions, dealing with everything from death and deception to love and morally challenging decisions. Crowe masterfully weaves a dual timeline that allows readers to gradually uncover the levels of the characters' past and present in a way that builds layer upon layer of tension, mystery and emotional complexity. The intricacy of the characters and the world they live in makes for a read that keeps the pages turning, nonetheless.

That said, the ending left me with unresolved feelings. While I didn’t expect everything to be tied up neatly with a pretty, pink bow, I found the conclusion to be somewhat predictable and anticlimactic. By the time I got to the halfway point, I had most of the plot figured out, with only a handful of small surprises left. Despite this, I found myself still enthusiastic to keep reading, driven by the desire to see how everything played out. Maybe Crowe has something up his sleeve for a follow-up story, but for now, the ending left me feeling a bit unresolved - though not entirely dissatisfied.

Though I only gave it 4 stars (I debated long and hard between 4 and 5), I would still highly recommend Never Let You Go. It’s a dark, twisted journey that will keep you hooked, especially if you enjoy morally complex characters and intricate plots. And even though I felt a little let down, I’m intrigued enough by Caleb Crowe’s writing to add him to my list of authors to watch. My mind may be a bit warped from reading all sorts of crazy stories, leaning more toward darker, unexpected twists and character types, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Crowe’s writing is strong with deeply engaging characters. Never Let You Go definitely deserves a spot on your TBR list.

As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.

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Ariana is a troubled youth from a bad background who finds herself in the foster care system. She flees her latest family and lucks into finding a job as an au pair for a family with two young children. She gets comfortable not having to worry about a place to live or having food to eat. However, the family has its share of issues. The story unfolds at present day when Ariana is 27 and a decade ago when she was 17. About half way through the book, I was lulled into forgetting this was a thriller. I was just enjoying the story of how the characters evolved. I quite literally yelled out loud... "WAIT! It's a thriller!" Mr Crowe can't fool me for long. This wasn't going to have some sweet, romantic ending. Shortly after, everything started heating up (pun intended) as bad things kept happening. You'll have to read it to learn the rest.

Caleb Crowe is one of my favorite authors, so when I came across his latest book on NetGalley, I jumped on it. I could not put it down. I read it in two days. I got irrationally angry at anyone interrupting me while I was reading it. I really felt invested in the characters and loved how they evolved over time. I especially loved how most of the chapters began with the same (or similar) sentence as they ended. I kept wondering how he was going to pull that off each chapter. I loved all his books, but I think this is his best one yet.

This is the third book I’ve read by the incredibly talented Mr Crowe. He’s done it again! Created characters I care about, and some I really don’t. Twisting and turning his narrative until, before you know it, hours have gone by!

Caleb Crowe takes seemingly normal, everyday people and flips them and their circumstances upside down. By making the unbelievable seem believable, you can understand how certain events could occur, amplifying the fear.

Ariana is a seventeen-year-old girl living within the foster care system. She wants to get away from her current life. Feeling trapped and not in control, she seeks safety and normality. Seeking refuge with a friend and then landing on her feet, gaining a job as a live-in nanny with an affluent family.

Daniel, their 12-year-old son, is brilliant, but troubled and is, according to his parents, uncooperative. He seems very taken with Ariana and they quickly form an unbreakable bond.

Tragedy blows their lives apart, and they lose contact for 10 years. As Daniel comes back into her life, Ariana is a mixture of emotions as they rekindle their friendship.

Darkness looms as secrets from both the past and present consume her life until it’s spiralling out of her control. Obsession prevents some promises from being kept. Can she wake up from this living nightmare, or will her past never let her go? Trust me, this book will not let you go until you’ve reached its pulse quickening, heart-pounding conclusion.

Phenomenal, incredible, stupendous. Grab a copy right now!