Nobody But Us - Laure Van Rensburg

Genre: Thriller | Psychological | Adult Fiction

Release Date: Expected 14th April 2021

Publisher: Penguin Michael Joseph UK

Content Warnings: Graphic sexual imagery, student/teacher relationships, self harm, alcohol, sexual assault, suicide.

Steven Harding is a successful, handsome professor. Methodical, Precise, and the complete total opposite of Ellie Masterson.

Ellie is a fiery, messy college student seventeen years his junior but this weekend they're finally going away to celebrate their six month anniversary together. They're planning a weekend far away from the city, far away from prying eyes with the promise of nothing but seclusion, silence and sex to fill their days. But as they arrive in their snow-covered home for the weekend, it's not just the weather causing a chill.

It seems like the perfect trip to get to know each other even better - but they don't know each other at all. They're both pretending to be someone they're not, and the consequences will be disastrous.

"The truth will set you free, they say. They're wrong."

Right from the beginning, the suspense crept up on the reader and doesn't let up. Immediately we get an uncomfortable power dynamic between our couple - from the way they speak to the way they act around each other it seems fairly obvious who's in charge and who's doing as they're told. Each character was so expertly crafted to be the polar opposite of each other yet similar in so many ways. The world building was immaculate - the setting was exceptional, I could feel a chill in the air and ice biting my skin as our couple took a romantic walk through the frozen countryside.

Starting off slow and building up to an explosion of a climax, this book kept me guessing - there were definite hints from earlier on in the story that suddenly seem obvious as it jumps from curiously suspicious to terrifyingly sinister within pages. As we see the couples history both together and apart, we're left to wait and see what exactly it is they're both hiding from each other and how it all fits together in this violent and shocking puzzle.

Nobody But Us deals with serious and relevant issues - from underage relationships to loss, and highlights some of the darker sides and the fallout that is hidden from the world.

A twisty tale about obsession, lust and revenge, this is an addictive read that left me head spinning - you can and should pre-order it now!

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Laure Van Rensburg and Penguin for this ARC in return for an honest review.

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