I got drawn into this book with it's spooky plot and mysterious characters, but unfortunately half-way through it became really unbelievable. ( )

Tim's ex-girlfriend Lilla has a strong hold on Tim, he can't seem to completely want her out of his life. Things start to change for Tim when he takes a room in the big old house of Fairview and meets Anna, a young girl who owns the house but has a whole range of mental problems and a terrible grief stemming from a horrible incident in her past.

Many unlikable characters in this one, Lila especially. Tom seems rather blah until the end. Plenty of secrets are revealed,and some are life changing. A good, rather light read with some twists I didn't see coming.

ARC from publisher. ( )

So it's the middle of exam preparation. Haven't been reading heaps, just a little bit to help me unwind. Yesterday I picked up this book, read maybe four (very short) chapters in my study breaks. That night after I'd had enough of studying for the day, I told myself I'd read for half an hour and then have an early night.

Two and a half hours later, I was closing the book after reading the last page, completely unaware of how much time had gone by. I had just kept flipping the pages, the story reeling me in, until I couldn't stop until I knew what happened. The writing wasn't fantastic, but I enjoyed the setting (Manly!) and the characters, who seemed very real. Tim's your typical Aussie bloke, who doesn't really know what he wants to do with his life, happy to surf morning and work nights; Anna has agoraphobia, and is sad and mysterious; and Lilla, well, everyone knows a girl like Lilla. Brash, over the top, can make you feel extremely uncomfortable as she's prods at you with her words, pretending not to notice she's being inappropriate.

I was rooting for Tim and Anna almost from the start, then I had the thought that maybe Anna was actually a psycho and would end up killing Tim, then I wondered if maybe she would kill herself? I had all these different theories but I tried to convince myself not to get too attached because I felt like something would happen to one of them. But I couldn't pick which direction it was going to go until it had happened or a page or a paragraph before it happened. That makes for a great read.

The only thing was, by the end there were still a few loose ends that didn't quite tie in - although most of it did quite nicely. There was just a couple of things that happened that weren't explained, unless we were supposed to assume the outcome.

A fast paced read, quite clever, not exactly the 'chilling and nail-biting suspenseful storytelling' as promised on the cover but still an enjoyable book. ( )

A special thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars

SWEET DAMAGE, by sensational Australian author, Rebecca James is a chilling and gripping twisted psychological thriller of obsession, friendship, and betrayal. OMG, intense; definitely does some damage to your nerves!

Tim Ellison, a bit of a drifter needs an inexpensive place to rent, and when he finds an old mansion in a perfect location near the restaurant (owned by this father), where he works as a chef and as an added bonus, near his favorite surf spot at Sydney-Manly Beach, he cannot believe his luck. Prior to moving, he was crashing on the sofa of his old girlfriend, Lilla, and he was tired of her bugging him about making something of himself.

He wonders why no one has taken this room as the house is enormous and impressive, surrounded by lush green gardens. Tim is blown away with Fairview, a stunning huge sandstone mansion built in 1890 with the most spectacular view and grand throughout.

Delighted with his new digs; however, one catch- he is required to look after the mansion’s mysterious owner, Anna. (Landlady/housemate is young, pretty, grief stricken, agoraphobic, odd, has anxiety/panic attacks, a recluse, which has not left the house in six months).

Young and fragile, Anna London, owner of Fairview inherited the house after her parents were killed in a tragic car accident three years ago. She is trapped inside and Tim is responsible for getting her groceries and shopping, and he cannot comprehend anyone who does not bask in the outdoors and nature. All is well, until strange and odd things begin happening, which are rather disturbing, and then he begins questions his decision.

"Anna feels with months of solitude and silence she still does not want to remember, where remembering is like pulling on the scar, tearing the stitches apart, exposing the gaping black hold where her heart used to be."

As the two grow closer living together, Tim wonders if he can be attracted to her and does Anna dare believe she can have a normal life with him?

Flashing back and forth we hear from both voices, Anna and Tim for a cautionary tale of love, secrets, hidden agendas, obsession, and betrayal.

There are three distinct personalities portrayed.

Tim goes with the flow, a free spirit, wants to be happy, unambitious, not very driven, or lover of possessions, and very trusting and naïve'.

Lila is self-centered, outgoing, social, flirty, aggressive, greedy, material minded, and the most annoying person (wanted to strangle her, as bad as Alice from book one). If you read Beautiful Malice, you will be reminded of Alice.

Anna is sweet, guarded, private, vulnerable, sensitive, and grief/guilt stricken, and feels she is a burden to everyone due to her mental condition.

Then you have the lawyers Fiona and Marcus, friends of Anna’s, which will keep you guessing with their connection. Not likable characters.

As Anna and Tim’s stories connect, they grow into different characters than when the book begins, making for a powerful, mysterious, and complex Gothic style chilling tale, driven by greed; when things are not as they seem, leaving you questioning: Do you really know who you can trust and are parts of your life planned by manipulative and obsessive minds?

This was my first book by James and was so intrigued, immediately purchased the audiobook of her debut, for another heart pounding suspense thriller with some troubled obsessive characters. If you enjoyed Beautiful Malice you will be assured to love dark and mysterious, SWEET DAMAGE (nice front cover-very fitting).

Would recommend to those who enjoy addictive, spine tingling and engrossing young adult, new adult, psychological thrillers, and twisted drama, where sickos may be disguised as your friends with an agenda all their own. Watch your back . . .

James has a creative imagination and a way of building suspense and holding back just enough to keep you turning and glued to the page. Look forward to reading more from this talented author.

Judith D. Collins Must Read Books

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A great book filled with colourful characters that really come to life to the reader. Anna is a damaged young woman with many demons in her past, trying to survive the grappling fear and anxiety that has taken over her mind. It’s hard not to fall in love with her despite her awkward behavior and mental issues, as Tim soon realizes after moving in as her tenant. But when strange things start happening in that house, he is no longer sure what or who to believe. The author has an impeccable sense of timing, delivering details of the intrigue in exactly the right proportion – giving away just enough to satisfy our curiosity but leaving us wanting more. I also tremendously appreciated the way the author switched perspective from Tim’s to Anna’s in each chapter – it gave the book an added dimension that turned it from a good book to a great one in my opinion. I will definitely seek out other books from this author in the future. ( )