I just finished reading A Mistake to Trust Him, and I must say it’s been quite the ride. As a fan of thrillers, especially those that delve into the complexities of trust and memory, this book piqued my interest right from the start. The gripping premise of a teen waking up confused and bruised, battling her amnesia alongside a race against time to find someone who’s gone missing, made it impossible for me to resist.
The book follows Mary, who wakes up with no memory of who she is or how she got there, only to encounter a frantic man claiming to be her father, bringing a slew of documents to prove it. This uncertainty sets a dark, intense tone, making readers question everything alongside her. The opening drew me in, illustrating her sheer vulnerability while also keeping the suspense high.
One of the significant positives I found was the pacing. The author expertly balances the mysterious backstory with current threats, ensuring that both Mary’s predicament and Drew’s frantic search for Lola hold equal weight and urgency. I appreciated how the chapters alternated between their perspectives, which enriched the narrative and created tension. I felt compelled to turn each page, knowing that every decision they made could either lead to discovery or deeper peril.
However, it wasn’t perfect. While I found most characters to be well-developed, there were moments where I felt that some supporting characters lacked depth. For instance, the townsfolk and certain police figures felt a bit stereotypical at times, which took away from the otherwise immersive experience. Additionally, the resolution, while satisfying, left me with a few lingering questions that I wished had been addressed more thoroughly.
Another noteworthy aspect of the book was its exploration of trust, particularly the line between trust and skepticism in relationships. As stated in the description, “It was a mistake to trust him,” and this theme reverberates throughout the narrative. Both main characters grapple with their perceptions of trust, leading to intense and sometimes painful decisions.
Additionally, while the tension in the plot kept my heart racing, the emotional stakes were equally powerful. The bond between Mary and Drew unfolds against a backdrop of danger, but it’s also marked by moments of tenderness and vulnerability. I could feel the desperation and resolve, which made their journey even more compelling.
However, I must point out some drawbacks that other readers might have felt too. Several reviews noted pacing issues in the middle sections, where the action slowed down extensively, hinting that the book could have benefitted from tighter editing in those areas. I found a few passages to be slower than expected, which somewhat dampened the momentum of the story as I navigated through them.
In conclusion, A Mistake to Trust Him is a riveting debut thriller that delivers on its promise to keep readers guessing until the end. While it does have its shortcomings, such as minor pacing drags and occasionally shallow characters, the overall execution—especially in suspenseful pacing and emotional depth—had me fully engaged. For fans of YA thrillers looking for a blend of psychological drama and heart-pounding action, I highly recommend diving into this book. It’s a gripping exploration of trust and resilience that will certainly leave an impact long after you turn the last page.