Synopsis

Once, Beth was a different person, convinced she was living her dream life with the enigmatic wellness group, Elixir. But when that dream became a nightmare, she had no choice but to run, no matter what – or who – stood in her way.

Ten years later, exhausted and struggling with the pressures of motherhood, she receives a mysterious letter bearing only the infinity symbol, and knows immediately it is from them.

The past she’d run from has finally caught up with her, and the secrets she’s tried so hard to hide will soon be uncovered. Can she finally escape them for good, or will her freedom pay the ultimate price?

Review

Disclaimer: I would fully have signed up for Elixir…

Wellness is such a huge topic right now, as we all strive to be thinner, younger, healthier and happier. Many of us try the latest facial serums, fad diets, workouts and mantras to try and slow time and ignore our mortality. This makes it the perfect topic for a thriller, because a cult disguised as a lifestyle would convince plenty of people!

The two POVs in this book switch between Then and Now to help us understand the chain of events that led Beth to the decisions she’s made. We see her struggling with trauma, looking for an escape, and experience how easily someone vulnerable can be swayed into a way of life that will solve all of our problems. Yet something led to her leaving Elixir and starting afresh, thousands of miles away.

Lizzy is such a brilliant storyteller, especially as she gives us a lot of information, lulling us into a smug state where we think we have it all figured out. And then she hits us with a dark and twisted reveal that leaves your mouth hanging open, and sliding into her DMs in uproar! Brilliant work Lizzy.

The characters in her books are always flawed heroes, and Be Mine is no different, in that we are never sure who to trust and who to suspect, because everyone seems so nice, and yet so manipulative. It’s extremely smart writing. This book also hits different because you can feel a lot of the author in the characters, making it rich, vulnerable and super relatable. The idea – especially for women – that we have to be perfect in body, mind and parenthood, will resonate with a lot of people.

Be Mine is a book that I keep thinking about; I like to think I’m too smart (and cynical) to be indoctrinated or persuaded into a cult, and yet I know that Elixir would have had me passing over my credit card and falling hook, line and sinker for Tate’s vision. Which is terrifying…

Thanks to Datura Books for my copy. Opinions my own.

Other books by Lizzy Barber: Nanny Wanted