Kniha, plná temných rodinných tajemství, se špetkou tajemna, vystavěná na reálných základech. Tak by se dala stručně popsat Mezi dvěma světy.
Zvláštní je, že i když mi žádná z postav nebyla výrazněji sympatická, autorce se podařilo vystavět příběh, který zaujal natolik, že to vlastně ani nijak nevadilo. Život trojice žen, novinářky Avy, Marion a její dcery Konstance, se tu prolíná napříč časovými osami a v závěru se spojí ve více méně očekávaném rozuzlení. I když je kniha v mnoha bodech hodně předvídatelná a od začátku jsem s jistotou věděla, jak se to s Konstance vlastně má, je natolik čtivá a příběh mě zaujal, že na tom v podstatě nezáleží.
Opět však narážím na to, že kniha je prezentována jako něco, čím skutečně není. NENÍ to plnohodnotný thriller ani horor. Nejpřesněji by se dala vystihnou asi jako "rodinné drama s prvky tajemna" a nádechem gotického románu.

From the first few pages I thought I was going to really like this book. It was a little bit creepy and seemed like it would be a gothic suspense/horror book. However, as I delved deeper into the story I found that I wasn't really interested in the characters. I figured out what the story would be pretty quickly and felt I was just turning the pages to finish the book, not really interested in it.

dnf at 43%

I’m sorry but this was just bad and boring

I tried to like it but there was nothing to like

Easy reading as story carried on nicely with good tension and thriller aspects though tackles some unsettling topics.

This book was a nice break from my typical romance thriller / mystery.

The story is told from three perspectives; Ava in present day and Marion and Constance from the past. When Ava gets pregnant and can’t answer all of the questions on her family history- it brings up questions of her mother’s past. Her job as a news reporter takes her to a site that is eerily familiar from when her mom attended a funeral there. She gets caught up in this work and it causes strife between her baby’s father and her family. Marion’s story is one of a maiden taken to live in a magnificent castle with a wealthy man. It doesn’t take long for the fairytale to fade away as her husband becomes cold after the loss of her first baby, Constance’s story is told as a child living in this castle but being made to lie about her health to the doctor, Her story is one of sadness, lies, and loneliness. But how do these stories connect and relate?

The author did a nice job of tying it together. I didn’t mind the predictability of the connection between the characters, I wish I would’ve heard more or understood more of Marion’s actions. I also would’ve liked closure with Garry and the main character, what had his experience been the night he was left alone? I know that they talked- but I would’ve liked to hear the exact conversation between Keven and Frances, that would have been interesting! Overall- great read, I wasn’t expecting to be so tied in, but it was very intriguing. Then to find it was written about a real place- spent another few hours googling that!

Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

It took me a while to read this one, but I am glad I did. When I first picked it up a few months ago I wasn't in the right mood for it so I put it aside to try again later. Well later finally came and it drew me right in and I really enjoyed this story. I loved the atmosphere, the creepy older house and the mystery surrounding it and the bridge and the area.

Ava is a journalist. She is also pregnant and wants to know more about her mom's past. Her mom never speaks of it, she refuses, and that is just not okay with Ava. She is going to be a mom now so she deserves to know everything. Okay, Ava could be annoying and super entitled at times, but I still enjoyed this read. Like her mom doesn't owe Ava her past. She would tell Ava anything that would be pertinent medical history-wise, but just because you want to know the details of what is obviously not a good time in your mom's life doesn't mean you are entitled to them. She was this way with everyone. She wanted to know more info about something and would pretty much demand people tell her which...you can want to know and if people want to share great, but they don't owe you anything.

Now because Ava is determined to find all of her mom's dark secrets she remembers once they went to this nearby town so she starts looking. She finds Overtoun Estate and this bridge where dogs are said to have killed themselves on. Everything will be fine and then suddenly dogs just jump over the side and it doesn't end well for them. One of the crazy things is the author said this actually exists! There is such a bridge and no one knows why they do it. There are theories, but no definite answers. Ava swiftly becomes obsessed and has to find out what is going on there. The house feels off. There is something there, she just knows it. The locals believe it could be a thin place - where the barrier between the living and the dead is very thin. She is so obsessed she pretty much doesn't think at all about anything else. Not about her baby that is coming, not about her family, nothing. She definitely is determined once she sets her mind to something.

This story is also told from the point of view of two people in the past. The first, Marion, moves to Overtoun House when she is newly married and tells of what happens to her there. The other, Constance, is a young girl who lives in the house. I loved the way all three stories were woven together and how you find out what is actually happening. It was such a fun read and as I said above I loved the atmosphere and how creepy it all could be. How you really felt like the house, the bridge, the past was a presence the characters had to deal with. How they were like a living thing. I really enjoyed this one and I am glad I picked it up when I was more in the mood for this story.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book

I reviewed this book for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. Per their policy, I cannot post the review until after it is published on their website in May 2021. After that, I will update the review.

3.6

3.75/5 stars

Friendly reminder that the book is finally out!!

First of all: Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Second of all TW: suicide, child abuse, miscarriage, animal abuse and death.

Overtoun Bridge: Set in Dumbarton, Scotland. This bridge is also known as the "dog suicide bridge". Dog suicides have happened since the 1950´s. It is not yet exactly known why this happens but there is a wide array of theories surrounding it.

Thin places: Places where the corporeal world and the eternal world´s veils are thin.

These two themes are well talked throughout the whole book (as well as others!) and this in turn, made me want to read it. I had read somewhere about Overtoun Bridge but never actually delved deeper. I had never though, read or heard about "thin places" but alas, knowing me? You know I would be fascinated by that. This book managed to get my attention in the best way possible, it was also my first e-ARC and I´m definitely not disappointed (finally a good start to the month!)

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Now: Ava is a journalist and a mom to be. However, she develops a concern because of her ongoing pregnancy and a lack of medical history since her mother is adopted and refuses to speak about it. Consequently, Ava tries to dig into it, leading her to Overtoun. She develops an unhealthy obsession for the place and starts in turn, to receive threats in order for her to leave the place the hell alone.

But, did she listen? Nuh-huh. She finds ways to make it her job: she tries to cover it for the news, she goes there as a tourist, she creates a bond with the current owner of the house. And well, she definitely doesn´t expect what she finds...

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This is a thriller of sorts, but as I found myself reading it I would definitely say this has also tiny bits of supernatural/terror thrown here and there (and i´m living for it!).

This book started off a bit slow but wow. Wow, wow. I´m dumbfounded really. I can´t even put my ideas into proper words. This book is absorbing, interesting, and a bit gruesome. (if you do plan to read this check the trigger warnings at the start of my review)

However!: The protagonists read off almost the same (I think that is the main reason it didn´t go up to 4.5/5 stars like I envisioned it at first). I had to constantly check who was narrating. As a funny note: I found the form of narrative interesting and curious. We have 2 first person narrations and a third person narration. It´s... a compelling decision to say the least. I liked it. Props to that.

The ending? Well shit. It´s one of the best ending lines I´ve ever read. I´m not kidding. I wish I was but I screamed and then I stared... with my mouth open... I´m astounded.

The pace? I have a few complains here and there but honestly, now that I think about it... nothing to serious. I stopped my chores of the day to finish this. Seriously. I couldn´t put it down, that´s why I have no complaints on that department. *chimes*

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In conclusion what I liked: supernatural themes and historical themes surrounding the book, the pace was *almost*perfect, it started off strong, the ending (not getting tired of saying that), the setting, the plot.

What I didn´t like: Protagonists reading off almost the same (up to almost the ending), the multiple people getting pregnant at the same time (sorry not a fan of it) and would say that´s about it. (because its a thriller and I can´t say much without spoiling)

SO!, Do I recommend it? Yes, yes I do. Thanks for turning in in my half-coherent review. Is all.