Creepy and Compelling: A Review of “Don’t Believe Her” by Nicola Sanders @authornicola_s @Dreamscapeaudio

In Don’t Believe Her, Ellie is thrilled when her best friend Carla, who disappeared as a teenager, returns—until she realizes something about her isn’t right.

Summary:

The Ellie’s life seems perfect—she has a young daughter, a dream fiancé, and a bright future ahead. When her fiancé Nick’s sister Carla, her former best friend who disappeared twelve years ago, returns, everyone is thrilled. But as Ellie reconnects with Carla, unease sets in. Carla’s behaviour feels off, her childhood memories don’t match, and she’s secretive about her missing years. Despite her growing suspicions, no one believes her concerns. Determined, Ellie realizes with chilling certainty: the woman claiming to be Carla isn’t who she says she is.

My Thoughts:

Don’t Believe Her is a brilliant example of why I enjoy the occasional thriller. From the first chapter, I was completely hooked, and there were moments that left me audibly gasping. Packed with tension, riveting twists, and a conclusion I didn’t see coming, this book kept me thoroughly engaged.

The story follows Ellie, a single mother who feels like her life is finally coming together. Engaged to Nick, the man she’s loved since childhood, Ellie is thrilled to provide a stable family for her daughter Carly. Even better, Nick’s estranged sister Carla, Ellie’s childhood best friend who disappeared at sixteen, has suddenly returned. But as Ellie reconnects with Carla, she begins to suspect that the woman isn’t who she claims to be. Her concerns, however, are dismissed by everyone—including Nick and his mother—leaving Ellie feeling increasingly isolated.

The novel is full of eerie moments, and the mystery of Carla’s disappearance twelve years earlier is masterfully revealed piece by piece. Ellie’s growing desperation and the tension within the family were palpable, and I found myself questioning everyone’s motives. As the truth unfolded, I found the resolution both satisfying and believable.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Jodie Harris, whose exceptional performance heightened the suspense and kept me on edge throughout. I’d highly recommend the audiobook to fans of the format—it truly brought the story to life.

Final Thoughts:

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unexpected twists and a touch of family drama, Don’t Believe Her is definitely worth a read (or listen).

I’d Also Recommend:

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston