Alone

I just finished this and am so filled with emotion that I can barely breathe. This book is.... incredible. I wanted to read the words before listening to the just-released audiobook and I'm going to need to sit in this for a few days before doing that. I can't imagine what it will feel like to hear the words read aloud by Abby Craden. Can I handle it? The jury is out. My god - if you haven't read this, treat yourself to one of the best reading experiences imaginable. Really - it's just that good.Update: Three weeks later. Just finished the audiobook and OMG. EJ herself said there were "just no words" for Abby Craden's performance of it - and she wasn't exaggerating. Wow. Abby really is at the top of her game with this one and I was completely blown away by it. Moved doesn't begin to cover what I'm feeling right now. If you haven't already, PLEASE treat yourself to this audiobook and/or book. This is definitely in my top five of all time. Just incredible.

Love this author and have read all of her books. Gold is one of my top 5 books of all times so this book had a lot to live up to. Was not sure how I would like this storyline but again all I can say is wow! Great job! The author painted such vivid pictures that I found myself feeling like I was inside of Celeste 's deepest thoughts. I tend to be somewhat of a loner myself but cannot imagine living without any personal contact for years. Needless to say I did not want to put this book down. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so all I will say is buy it - you will not be disappointed!

I was slightly concerned I might not like this book, but I also very much trust E.J. Noyes’ writing because she is able to draw so much emotion out of me in all her books. Turns out this one was no exception! When the shit hits the fan, it hit me pretty hard and I’m not ashamed to admit Noyes had me crying again. There were parts that were a little slow but I think also necessary to really understand what Celeste is going through in this “experiment”. I thought I had a big part figured out pretty quick but then that ended up not being exactly what I thought either. I have no issue recommending this one and will most likely buy a paperback copy as well to go with the rest of hers I’ve bought after reading digitally.

Wow. This book is a perfect read. The main character narrates and her back story is interwoven into a fascinating, thoughtful psychological study with layers of romance. Noyes does an excellent job revealing parts of each character to tease you into reading one more page, one more chapter; always wanting to know more both about what happened in the past and what will happen next. The romance is believable and, as usual from Noyes, SUPER HOT. I did not want to put this book down! It is definitely going to be one I return to for a second or third time.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot was different and I was happy Noyes jumped right into the experiment and just filled us in with minimal flashbacks to the backstory. The flashbacks of Celeste's past were heartbreaking and I empathized with her with each one. Her inner dialogue was pretty comical and I found myself laughing at times. Also, the voices she was hearing were a nice snippet of what kind of life Celeste had before this story started and at times had me laughing or frowning. I don't usually enjoy a first-person story telling but I feel like it really worked in this plot so we could dive into Celeste's mind after she'd been isolated for so long and take the journey with her while she re-acclimated to actual human contact.Celeste and Olivia's chemistry... can I just say wow?! You know when you watch a TV show and the lead couple just has amazing chemistry that makes you think they may be dating in real life? This was like that, except this was a "real" couple. The development of their relationship felt so real even though it was in such a short time frame - their easy banter, playing games together, having serious conversations, the LOVE scenes 🤩... everything! I found myself reading and re-reading sections because their dialogue was so good! Did I mention the love scenes? Also, I felt like the ending wasn't rushed and we got a nice HEA. Overall, great book and I'd definitely recommend it!

Sinister and menacing, this is a first-rate psychological thriller/romance – 5 StarsThe book opens with Celeste undertaking the final year of an experiment that requires her to live at an isolated location without any human contact. She has neither been told the reason for the experiment, nor who is running it, but with remuneration of $500,000 on offer, Celeste was happy to take-on the challenge. Impersonal and brief daily contact via instant messaging with those identified only as ‘Controllers’ is the closest thing she has to any form of communication…but someone, or perhaps something is about happen!Within the first few chapters the author builds an atmosphere so menacing that it became almost claustrophobic to read. As the story unfolds, Celeste is increasingly aware that not everything is what it seems and, along with Celeste, I found myself determined to uncover the truth. ‘Clues’ are seeded throughout the story, but E J Noyes disguises these well and, like Celeste, I found the temptation to rely on emotional rather than rational feedback irresistible at times.This is one of the best books in this genre that I’ve read in a very long time. Having planted the hook, Noyes never lets the reader off for a moment. I found the constant need to try to identify what was ‘real’ both compelling and exhausting. With a script that is dynamic and convincing, this is a truly enthralling psychological thriller/romance. Enjoy!

Yep, awesome read...I finished this yesterday but I'm ready to read it again!I didn't read this sooner because I thought it might be a bit of a psychological thriller and I'm a bit of a scaredy cat, but it turned out to be a thoroughly good read. Great character development meant that I felt like I really understood both MC's and could sympathise with their viewpoints and actions, even if they aren't always on point.Again, awesome read, really enjoyed it, but I'll hold off for at least a couple of weeks before I go back for a re-read...I've got will power, but not much!

I seem to have read a lot of formulaic lesfic recently and that has its place, but this has no formula that I’ve ever encountered before. Not a fantasy, but a book so startlingly and brilliantly different from all that other standard lesfic, that it deserves all the accolades already piled on it!I confess I wasn’t sure at first; a woman alone in the wilderness in the pursuit of a scientific experiment? And a woman who hears voices, rarely kind voices either. But I grew to like Celeste, to see what an inherently good person she was at heart, in spite of her horrendous start in life and her huge losses. And when Olivia shoots (excuse the pun) into her lonely existence, she truly comes alive. Heaps of angst (but just the right amount) heaps of feelings (ditto!) and just everything you want in a great read. It made me smile and then brought me to tears. No spoilers from me; as others have already said, just read it!

I loved this so much, it's very rare i read a book twice. Only once have I ever read a book and immediately had to read it again. It's now twice I've done that.I was dubious about the concept as I didn't believe it was something I would get into, I couldn't have been more wrong. It's so beautifully written, the characters are amazingly flawed, believable, real, and I want it to go on forever. Based on this book, i want to read everything E J Noyes has to offer.

I bought this in 2019 and only now have read it 2 years later. The problem was, the premise seemed a bit creepy and disempowering for the female lead. I underestimated E.J. Noyes as an author. This book immerses you in her journey and impresses with her ability to manage an experience most would crumble when faced with alone for over 3 years. There are funny moments and when the isolation is crashed, beautiful and then heartbreaking moments. The happy ending is one the reader is ok to embrace as we feel we have earned it along with our main character.Well worth reading.