You can trust me by Emma Rowley

Nicky is a ghostwriter, her job is to take the words of people she interviews and turn them into books in the 'voice' of the person.  Chances are you have read one of her books, they have been on the bestsellers list, but you wouldn't know which ones they were - being a ghostwriter means you see the name of the famous person on the cover, not Nicky's name.  It is an interesting process, one that has both rewards and challenges, and her ability to be discreet is an essential part of the job.  It is a job to pay the bills, and Nicky has more than her share of bills after she broke up with her boyfriend and got stuck with an expensive lease she can't afford to break.  When she receives word that social media star Olivia Hayes would like Nicky to be her ghostwriter it is both a godsend and something of a dream come true - Olivia is famous for her picture perfect online life, and Nicky is enthusiastic about working with her.

That enthusiasm lasts about as long as it takes for Nicky to arrive at Olivia's home, a restored country estate, and discover that in her haste to respond to the email she has arrived expecting to stay with Olivia - while Olivia was expecting her to book into a B&B.  An already awkward situation is made worse by the impression that Olivia is aloof and distant, seeming to want Nicky to keep her distance even when they are supposed to talking about the things Olivia wants in her book.  Every attempt to bring Olivia out of her shell and sharing the information Nicky needs seems to backfire and bring up her barriers instead, and after a few days it becomes clear that Nicky may have to do her own research to find the information she needs to complete the book.  Living in Olivia's home is rather intimate and shows Nicky more than she expected, but it is the story about the fire that destroyed the house that is starting to attract Nicky's attention - and if Olivia won't play ball maybe Nicky can write a story of her own.  

You can trust me is a book of two parts, a thriller that slowly builds the tension and mystery, testing your ability to see through the story to pull the puzzle pieces together.  Nicky is a likeable character who seems to be very determined, if a little naïve and lacking in confidence.  Olivia is the opposite, someone who seems so perfect and put together in her public life, but at home she is guarded and dealing with her own issues.  As Nicky learns more about Olivia it is easy to forget that you are reading a work of fiction, all too often people discover that their social media idols are not what they appear to be - that they are all too human like the rest of us.  Giving too many details will ruin the discoveries you make along the way, but this was a very enjoyable read.

If you like this book then try:

• Sticks and stones by Katherine Firkin
• The vanishing season by Joanna Schaffhausen
• I've got you under my skin by Mary Higgins Clark
• Spare me the truth by C.J. Carver
• Behind closed doors by B.A. Paris
• Eeny meeny by M.J. Arlidge
• Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
• The nowhere child by Christian White
• City of fear by Alafair Burke
• Gathering dark by Candice Fox
• The better sister by Alafair Burke
• The lost ones by Sheena Kamal
• One step too far by Tina Seskis

Reviewed by Brilla