You Can Trust Me – Emma Rowley
You can trust me.
But can I trust you?
Olivia is the domestic goddess who has won millions of followers by sharing her picture-perfect life online. And now she’s releasing her tell-all autobiography. For professional ghostwriter Nicky it’s the biggest job of her career. But as she delves deeper into Olivia’s life, cracks begin to appear in the glamorous façade. From the strained relationship with her handsome husband, to murky details of a tragic family death in her childhood, the truth belies Olivia’s perfect public image. But why is Olivia so desperate to leave an old tragedy well alone? And how far will she go to keep Nicky from the truth?
My thanks to the publishers for my review copy and the opportunity to join the blog tour
Who doesn’t love a story about secrets? In You Can Trust Me there are plenty of secrets which ghostwriter, Nicky, is determined to uncover.
Nicky is recently single and struggling to meet the rent on the flat she shared with her ex. Now that he is out the picture the rent has become steeper than she can comfortably manage making it difficult for Nicky to turn down work.
As a ghostwriter Nicky has developed a good reputation with the agency who engages her services. Obviously her CV cannot list the titles she has written (all confidential) but the agency will send her projects to consider. When we first meet Nicky she is just wrapping up a book for a celebrity chef and making minor amendments to reflect the fact secrets from his private life have just been splashed over the newspapers in recent days. All part of the job!
The underwhelming prospect of a new project with a Coupon Lady from TV is all the reward Nicky faces. However an urgent request that she write a book for one of social media’s high profile influencers leaves Nicky little time to prepare or to take a breather from her last project. She needs to make a snap decision but the lure of working with the enigmatic and seemingly perfect Olivia is too good an opportunity to turn down. Nicky hurriedly packs and dashes to meet Olivia in her country home.
From the moment the two meet there seem to be problems. Olivia is secretive, withdrawn from the writing process, reluctant to engage too fully or share personal information. Nicky needs to get her to open up and share some personal details or she may find it impossible to write Olivia’s book for her.
Olivia’s reluctance is only half the problem as Nicky seems overwhelmed and awkward in the presence of her client. Misunderstandings and accidents around Olivia’s home leave Nicky feeling exasperated and on the back foot. Unable to draw out her client in conversation Nicky starts to snoop around her home and to ask questions about the family in the nearby village. Here she stumbles upon potential dynamite – Olivia’s family has a huge secret and if Nicky can get her to talk about it there will be fireworks ahead.
Emma Rowley has woven a clever tale here – there are lots of secrets in this book for Nicky to uncover and once you know what they are you realise you have spotted some secrets too – only you didn’t know it. Nicky’s awkward demeanour and frustrated attempts to do her job won me onto her side and I got frustrated with the cool attitude of Olivia. However something happens which makes you consider Olivia in a new light. Can she trust Nicky to write her story? Will Nicky get to the truth or will she accept what Olivia has told her? How far does a high profile influencer need to go to protect the pictue perfect world ahead has built up for herself?
Nicely paced, clever surprises dropped into the story and some well realised characters made this a fun read.
You Can Trust Me is published by Orion and is available in paperback, digital and audiobook format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07C1ZMHXH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0