Dream of a trip to the coastline of Wales with this psychological thriller. Unexpected plots twists will mean you can’t put this book down. Here’s my book review of I Let You Go by Clare Makintosh.
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Overview of I Let You Go by Clare Makintosh
One of my favourite parts of this book was the dramatic plot twist that I just didn’t see coming. So my book review of I Let You Go by Clare Makintosh isn’t going to give you any spoilers, so you can enjoy the twists as much as I did.
I Let You Go begins with a hit-and-run accident. A child runs out into the road and is hit by a speeding car, which then drives off. We feel the depth of the mother’s despair. It’s a really striking opening chapter.
The next chapter introduces us to the main character Jenna Gray. We also meet the police officers Ray and Kate who are leading the investigation into the case. The police officers learn that the mother has fled, and Jenna Gray escapes to an isolated cottage on the coast of Wales to deal with her grief alone. She is clearly troubled, and throughout the book we learn more about her past and what has led to her being in this isolated cottage in Wales.
The book is told from multiple points of view, so we get an insight into the police officers’ investigation as well as Jenna’s new life in Wales.
Jenna starts to build a photography business and makes some friends in Wales, including getting a dog which leads to her beginning a relationship with the local vet. However, this is where some of the plot twists start. Things aren’t what they first seemed, and Jenna’s past is a lot more complicated than we first thought. I won’t give any spoilers here – but it’s definitely worth reading the book to find out more!
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What I liked about this book
As I’ve mentioned earlier in this book review of I Let You Go by Clare Makintosh, I really liked the plot twist in the book. The suspense was great, as we kept learning more about Jenna’s story and the police investigation. A few times I thought I might have guessed the answer to the ‘who did it’ question, but I was completely wrong! I love books that surprise me and take an unexpected twist.
I also really loved the beautiful descriptions of the Welsh coast in the book. The location the book is set really adds to the story. the isolation of Jenna’s cottage on the coast is the perfect setting, and makes the reader wonder why she is seeking such isolation. I also loved that she started the develop a photography business while living here, using the beautiful natural scenery for inspiration. It was clear that she had been through a traumatic time, so it was nice to see her gaining comfort and inspiration from her new location to start building a new life.
What I wasn’t so keen on
I really enjoyed this book, so there wasn’t much I wasn’t keen on. I think the main thing was the ending. In just the final few paragraphs, there was a hint of another plot twist, with a hint of something unexplained. It left the ending a bit ambiguous. I felt that there had been enough twists and turns in the book. And I prefer books that have clear endings, not leaving something ambiguous. It just felt a bit unnecessary to me.
I also wasn’t always so keen on Ray and Kate’s story, the police officers investigating the case. Some of it was ok, but some of it felt a bit boring in comparison to the chapters from Jenna’s point of view. If a book is written from multiple perspectives, I think it’s really important for all the characters to be equally interesting and likeable. And I just wasn’t as keen on their sections. But it was still good to see the story from their point of view, and it definitely added to the twist.
And one final thing – there are some very graphic descriptions of some very dark things. I won’t give too much away here as it could give spoilers. But be prepared for some slightly gruesome scenes that can be difficult to read, and potentially could be triggering for some readers.
Would I recommend I Let You Go by Clare Makintosh?
I definitely would recommend this book. If you’re planning a trip to the coast of Wales, or any other part of the UK coastline, it’s a great book to get you in the mood to appreciate the isolated beauty of these areas. Plus, it’s a great book that will keep you busy in the evenings of your trip. I hope you enjoy it!
If you like the sound of this book, buy yourself a copy for this weekend here! (affiliate)
If this book has inspired you to think about travel, it’s time to start planning your next trip! The UK is a beautiful place to travel, with beautiful scenery in Wales and Scotland. Or you could visit some of the amazing cities in Europe, such as Prague, Berlin or Vienna. The USA is full of amazing places as well, like the Florida Keys, San Francisco and the Olympic Mountains. Start planning your travels and live life with no regrets!
