ARC Review: In the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
Available: Jun'12
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: ARC from Publisher
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Catherine has been enjoying the single life for long enough to know a good catch when she sees one. Gorgeous, charismatic, spontaneous - Lee seems almost too perfect to be true. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell. But there is a darker side to Lee. His erratic, controlling and sometimes frightening behaviour means that Catherine is increasingly isolated. Driven into the darkest corner of her world, and trusting no one, she plans a meticulous escape. Four years later, struggling to overcome her demons, Catherine dares to believe she might be safe from harm. Until one phone call changes everything. This is an edgy and powerful first novel, utterly convincing in its portrayal of obsession, and a tour de force of suspense.
My Thoughts:
This read was intense and thought-provoking! The topic of abusive relationships was reminiscent of Sleeping with the Enemy (starring Julia Roberts) and Eric Walters, The Taming.


It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of reading some Adult Contemporary Lit, Into the Darkest Corner was a breath of fresh air. However, please don't mistake my last statement, while the genre was a breath of fresh air, Into the Darkest Corner is an emotional story told from tortured narrator's perspective.


Catherine had me cheering, crying and clenching my fists with her story. The awful trauma she has endured has made her a fragile and paranoid and deals with it though isolation and OCD tendencies. Enter Stuart, the White Knight in shiny Spectacles that just may be the answer to all her prayers, that is if Catherine will let herself trust enough to let someone close to her again.


The pacing kept me hooked, rotating between past and present events told from Catherine's perspective. You'll truly be rooting for her to the last pages of the book. 


This read is NOT for the faint of heart, it is a warning to all, about how destructive an unhealthy relationship can be- abuse blooms in many forms. 


I couldn't stop turning the pages of this read. I loved the gentle romance thrown in to the mix and the intensity Catherine (and by extension) the reader is thrown through. I encourage those who enjoy contemporary reads, but don't shy away from violence, to read Into the Darkest Corner.


I look forward to reading future title from Haynes!


Happy Reading!!!