Review: 'You'll Be Thinking of Me' by Densie Webb (2015)

A chance encounter with a celebrity, an impromptu video, and a shiny new espresso machine. It all added up to a juicy tale for 24-year-old Rachael Allen to share with friends. But when her best friend posts the video online, bizarre threats, home break-ins, and deadly gifts from an obsessed fan follow close behind.  Mick Sullivan, the star in her video, offers to help and in the process, Rachael discovers that despite his reputation as a player of Olympian caliber, he’s down-to-earth—and emotionally damaged. He has secrets; some he’s shared only with his pseudo best friend. Others he's shared with no one. But there's one secret he’s hidden from himself, washed away by too many beers.  Despite wildly divergent life paths, their shared southern upbringing (and a passion for good music) creates a common thread that draws them together. As the threats escalate, and their relationship deepens, Rachael struggles to accept Mick’s past—and his present. And she is forced to confront her own obsessive love to ultimately decide if being with Mick Sullivan is worth the collateral damage.
Earlier this year I was contacted by author Densie Webb with the question of whether I was interested in reading and reviewing her debut novel 'You'll Be Thinking of Me', which was first released in January 2015. Densie spent a long career as a freelance non-fiction writer and editor, specialising in health and nutrition, and has published several books and numerous articles on the topic over the years. This book is her first step into the world of fiction and I have to say the description of the novel straight away intrigued me. It took me a bit of time to finally pick up the novel (sorry about that, Densie!), but I had my fingers crossed for an enjoyable read!
Twenty-four-year-old Rachael Allen is pleasantly surprised when she bumps into famous actor Mick Sullivan in a gourmet coffee shop one day. They start talking and Rachael can't help but ask for a picture, which eventually leads to Mick taking a video of the two of them. Rachael is really excited, and so is her best friend Jenna, who decides to put the video on the Internet, just for fun. But what starts out as simple fun, quickly turns into something a lot more serious when Rachael is suddenly stuck with her very own stalker. That tiny video turns out to have a lot of impact on Rachael's future, and as threatening letters and e-mails start to arrive, Rachael has no idea what she has gotten herself into by starting a conversation with Mick Sullivan that one day...
It has been a while since I've read a novel as suspenseful as this one! Densie Webb has really managed to create a convincing story filled with tension, and a story that had me at the edge of my seat until the last few chapters. While the plot line (celebrity crush/stalker) is one that has been done many times before, the author really managed to turn it into her own. I particularly liked Densie Webb's writing style. It was incredibly easy to fall into and to keep on reading for longer periods of time, while at the same time detailed enough and quite gripping. The fact that this is her debut novel is quite impressive and I already can't wait to read more of Densie's work. 
I would describe the book as a combination of genres; a large part thriller, but there's also a clear romance element between the main characters, Rachael and Mick. I liked Rachael from the start and I loved seeing the relationship between her and Mick develop slowly, all because of what is happening to the two of them. The story is told from several different points of view, which really provided the reader with the opportunity to get into the head of the characters. If I have to give one point of critique, I'd have to go with the cover. I personally really don't like it and think a more attractive cover would only benefit the great writing that is hidden inside. Overall, though, 'You'll Be Thinking of Me' is an enthralling, chilling and well-written book about celebrity crushes, love, and obsession; a thriller/romance novel that is definitely worth picking up!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.