No Priors

Author: Sophie Bérubé
Genre: Suspense, Canadian
Type: e-book
Print Length: 271 pages
Source: Directly from author
Publisher: Self-Published
First Published in French: 2011 
First Published in English: October 14, 2015
First Line: "The first time she walked into the bookstore, I knew right away that I wanted her to bear my children."

Book Description from GoodReads: This best-selling novel tells the riveting story of Thomas, a seductive bookseller and underground artist, who falls in love with Roxanne; an ambitious lawyer looking for commitment. His dream of raising a family with her soon turns into a real descent to hell where the line between good and evil can be blurred. 

Told from each character’s perspective, the story does not reveal until the very end who is ultimately responsible for the tragedy hanging over them. This romantic suspense will stay with you forever. 

My Review:  Bérubé has written an energetic psychological thriller which is quite reminiscent of Gone Girl in that she reveals a volatile relationship by showing the reader two sides of the same story.  The only difference is that, in this case, I actually liked both characters at some point or other in the book.  

Sometimes reading a book that focuses on one situation from two different perspectives can feel a little monotonous.  A little of that happened here as various situations are rehashed from the two different points of view.  It's inevitable but the author also threw in some deeper insights which helped to slightly lessen these déjà vu feelings. Readers will be surprised at how they may switch allegiances when they get both perspectives.  Seeing the two perspectives on the same experiences was eye opening to say the least. 

I admit that I found it hard to read some passages because of the emotion and passive aggression.  To see someone try to bring their 'loved one' to their knees emotionally and psychologically was hard to witness ... but it also makes for a good read.  Both characters had their own issues (quite large ones in fact) that influenced their relationship.  Some were chilling, others were sad as you witness someone losing control and/or allowing others to control them.  Bérubé vividly shows how destructive words can be and gives the reader a lot to think about.   

She also shows different versions of love as well as the darker side that relationships can take.  This was an easy read and quite a page turner. Due to the various issues raised in this book I think that it would make a great book club selection.

Note: No Priors was was originally printed in French here in Canada under the title Sans Antécédents and became a best seller back in October 2011.

My Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to author Sophie Bérubé for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.