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The Girl Before

by J.P. Delaney (Goodreads Author)

3.89 · Rating Details · 1,327 Ratings · 576 Reviews

Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

Emma
Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural mas ...more

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: January 24th 2017 by Ballantine Books

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The Girl Before
by J.P. Delaney (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Jan 24, 2017

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Giveaway dates: Dec 14 - Jan 19, 2017

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Dec 30, 2016 Melissa rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, not-for-me, suspense, horrible-ending, 2016

I’m tossing this one on the heaping pile of books that led me to believe they were worthy of comparisons to Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, but left me disappointed instead. Is this madness ever going to end? Why can’t a book be left to stand on it’s own merits? I guess it’s my fault for giving in and picking up yet another ‘Girl’ book. Have no fear though, once again, I’ve landed in the minority, as the reviews I’ve seen have been overwhelming positive and apparently it’s being made into a I’m tossing this one on the heaping pile of books that led me to believe they were worthy of comparisons to Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, but left me disappointed instead. Is this madness ever going to end? Why can’t a book be left to stand on it’s own merits? I guess it’s my fault for giving in and picking up yet another ‘Girl’ book. Have no fear though, once again, I’ve landed in the minority, as the reviews I’ve seen have been overwhelming positive and apparently it’s being made into a movie. So, take this review with a grain of salt. It’s just one reader’s thoughts and feelings, after all.

Point blank - I don’t get it. This whole scenario is strange. Odd. Completely ridiculous. What sane person would agree to live in this situation? Forget sane - why would anybody sign up for this?

Maybe I’m the crazy one, but there is no way I would ever agree to give up most of my belongings to move in to a minimalistic stone box of a house that comes with over 200 stipulations. Restrictive and ridiculous rules. Not to mention, answering a bizarre questionnaire and having my “amenities” shut down every time the perfectionistic control freak of a landlord feels like I need to answer yet another series of questions. All in an effort to gauge my “growth” or acceptance of the lifestyle the house demands. I don’t care how good looking or how famous of an architect the owner is; I wouldn’t do it. The author sells the idea by garnering sympathy from the reader for the two women and the excitement of top of the line technology - it's the ultimate smart house. Both women have recently experienced tragedies and need a fresh start. And, of course, the rent for this pseudo stone cell is quite cheap. Hmm . . . I wonder why?

The story unfolds through the eyes of the two women - Emma, the previous tenant, and Jane, the current tenant. The story flip-flops between then and now, which takes place two years apart, at a pretty rapid pace. We get to see how their stories mirror each other and it’s a little convoluted at times. More than once, I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to see whose head I was in because I was kind of lost. I liked the whole notion of getting caught up in a story or your past and recreating or reliving that same story over and over. But that’s were the likes kind of ended for me.

The entire plot felt like a tangled mess and not one I particularly enjoyed unraveling. Albeit, there was something about it that kept me turning the pages. I can’t say I was wowed though - not by the characters, the scenario or even the twist. I failed to see what so many others have found exceptional about this one.

*THANK YOU to Random House/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Dec 16, 2016 Paromjit rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, thriller, mystery

1 Folgate Street is no ordinary house, it is cutting edge and won the Stirling Prize. It is an example of extreme minimalism and incorporates the latest home technology. It was originally designed by the techno-architect Edward Monkton as his family home but his wife and son died there which means its now available for others to live. Only there is the slight problem of over 200 conditions that have to be adhered to by whoever lives there. And they have to be interviewed and approved by Monkton 1 Folgate Street is no ordinary house, it is cutting edge and won the Stirling Prize. It is an example of extreme minimalism and incorporates the latest home technology. It was originally designed by the techno-architect Edward Monkton as his family home but his wife and son died there which means its now available for others to live. Only there is the slight problem of over 200 conditions that have to be adhered to by whoever lives there. And they have to be interviewed and approved by Monkton personally.

The narrative focuses on Emma from the past, and Jane in the present. Both are troubled women. Emma was held at knife point by burglars and she is struggling to come to terms with this. This event drives her decision to apply to live in the house, despite her boyfriend, Simon's reservations. The conditions for residing there will turn her into a new person with more control, Jane has had a stillborn baby and grieving. This house will be her new start and she just happens to fancy the architect. She is receiving a flower delivery of gentians which she assumes is from the architect until she reads the card....and realises there is more to the house than she thought. Emma died in the house.

A concerned Jane begins to investigate Emma, the girl before to ascertain whether she was murdered, and if so by whom. There are uncomfortable similarities between her and Emma. From both resembling Edward's wife, to having a no strings attached affair with him which runs a similar if not identical course, to both having risque sex. Jane meets the people in Emma's life including Simon, the aggrieved boyfriend, and Carol, the therapist. Meanwhile, the house appears to develop an entity of its own as strange and random things happen. Is the controlling and manipulative Edward a killer? Is Emma a reliable narrator? An air of menace hangs over the house as danger begins to close in around Jane.

The writing is lucid, sparse and beautiful. Pretty much like the house, and there is an air of claustrophobia in the story. This is a house with tragic beginnings and a strong character that is destined to trouble those who live there, you can just feel this. It is a good psychological thriller that keeps you reading without ever losing interest. Thanks to Quercus for an ARC. ...more

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Oct 17, 2016 Melisa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: thrillers, netgalley

Update: I just read that Ron Howard is going to direct the movie adaptation of this book. I can't wait!

Wow! Book slump averted! A thriller has not made me this excited since Megan Miranda's All the Missing Girls.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Emma, the girl before, and Jane, the current tenant of a very unique flat. While both women are searching for a living situation within their budgets in expensive London, their brokers both mention a possible solution. One Folgate Street ...more

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Sep 27, 2016 Christy rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: women

Shelves: psychological-thriller

Ron Howard already has his hands on this book; so my advice to you: hurry up and pre-order this one so you can have it read before it's out in theaters!

If you want to find out who The Girl Before is you'll have to get on this fast ride and endure some whiplashing turns...I'll bet it won't be who you think it is, though you meet her early on, and overlook her in a way... I thought I knew within the first few chapters, but I was wrong--and I'm not telling, sorry.

One Folgate Street seems to be the ...more

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Dec 12, 2016 Rachel rated it liked it

Shelves: 2016, genre-mystery-thriller, reviews, netgalley, published-in-2017, contemporary

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl Before started out great. It's an addicting psychological thriller about two unrelated women who both, at different times, agree to move into an experimental house designed by minimalist architect Edward Monkford. The house comes with a long set of rules: no clutter, no children, no pets. Nothing but the absolutely essential. Chapters alternate between their perspectives following two different timelines; we I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl Before started out great. It's an addicting psychological thriller about two unrelated women who both, at different times, agree to move into an experimental house designed by minimalist architect Edward Monkford. The house comes with a long set of rules: no clutter, no children, no pets. Nothing but the absolutely essential. Chapters alternate between their perspectives following two different timelines; we have Then: Emma and Now: Jane. Though the young women don't know each other, their narratives parallel and we see Jane falling into the same patterns and making the same choices as Emma did, lending the story a tense air of inevitability - it's like watching two trains about to collide, and it's terrifying.

This started out being one of the creepiest thrillers I've read in a long time. I raced through the pages in order to get to the bottom of the mystery.

And then it all went downhill.

I try my best to write my reviews without spoilers, but all of my problems with this book come down to the twists and reveals, so without further ado:

(view spoiler)[1. Emma lying about being raped. On the one hand, I love unreliable narrators, especially in this genre. The fact of Emma being a pathological liar is fascinating, and it's fun trying to wade through her web of deceit to discern the truth. But then we arrive here, and... well. What a letdown. I'm not saying that false rape accusations don't happen. But in a society where allegations of rape are often met with scorn and skepticism, where alleged rapists are let out of prison after six months because of promising athletic careers or even appointed president of the United States, do we really need more fictional accounts of women lying about being raped? Especially seeing as the biggest name in this genre from recent years also focuses on a false rape accusation, it stings even more seeing it repeated here. Once was enough. (I won't name the title because of spoilers, but I think we all know what I'm talking about.)

2. The reveal that Simon was the killer. This is one of the rare cases where I think I would have preferred the killer to be the person we all guessed it was on page one, rather than this outlandish twist. In Edward Monkford we have a fascinating and terrifying depiction of a narcissist and a sociopath, someone who seems from the outset perfectly capable of murder. While it seemed a bit too obvious that he was the killer, I couldn't help but to expect it. I wanted to see what drove him to that point, what was enough to make him snap. Even though I thought I had this book figured out, I didn't care. It was still addicting and tense and my heart raced as I tore through the pages, waiting for the final pieces of Edward murdering Emma to click into place.

But no, it turns out that Edward's just a bit of an eccentric weirdo, and boring and possessive Simon is secretly crazy enough to murder the woman he loves. Simon was a jerk, there's no doubt about that, but I still didn't really buy this. Something that writers of the thriller genre fail to grasp is that sometimes less is more. Sometimes a bit of predictability is okay if your characters and situations are unique enough, which was certainly the case here. Readers are just as likely to enjoy a book because of its vivid characters - and Edward is certainly that - as unexpected plot twists. Twists like this need to strike a balance between shocking and believable in order to be effective, and this one relied too heavily on the former.

3. Down Syndrome being equated with imperfection and Jane being forced to choose between the epitome of perfection in the house and her 'imperfect' baby... really????? Could we not have told this story without going here??? [note: edited on 12/12/16. I originally incorrectly stated that the baby had autism, while it actually is Down Syndrome, as someone reminded me in the comments. I apologize for the error - I hadn't had the book with me at the time I wrote this review and was going off memory.] (hide spoiler)]

3 stars because I couldn't help but to be sucked in by this story, but its layers of intrigue and deception. The pace was fantastic and the short chapters made it almost impossible to put down. But as more and more of this story's layers are uncovered, the more distasteful it became, and I can't help but to mourn the wasted potential in what started out as a truly unique and memorable novel. (A note to future readers: Trigger warnings for rape and in depth discussions of stillbirth.) ...more

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Jan 10, 2017 Ammar rated it liked it

Shelves: first-read, crimes-mystery

Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC of this novel.

A novel that gained the eyes of editors around the world at the Frankfurt Book Fair and a bidding war started based on 53 pages.

A soon to be made movie by Ron Howard.

The story of a house and the women who lived in it. The past Emma and the present Jane. The narrative splitting between both characters; in many cases the story repeats itself and you see it from two different point of views.

The owner of the house; the minimalist arc ...more

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Nov 22, 2016 Dannii Elle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysterious-miasmas, thriven-thrillers, spelling-bee-challenge, contemporary-cuteness

I received this in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. Thank you to the author, J.P. Delaney, and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for this opportunity.

I have never read a sample of a book before and, to be honest, have never been interested in doing so. When I received an email proclaiming that I was eligible for a portion of this book I downloaded it to my Kindle without any real idea of when or if I would get to it. One day, however, I found myself short of time and eager for a quic ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 Danielle (The Blonde Likes Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

For more of my reviews visit https://theblondelikesbooks.wordpress...

The Girl Before features two women who move into the same house, years apart form one another. Emma, who lives there first, ends up dying under mysterious circumstances. The case can't conclusively decide whether her death was an accident, a suicide, or murder. Jane moves in a little more than a year later, after the apartment had been vacant for a year. As she gets settled in, she learns about Emma, and starts doing a little d For more of my reviews visit https://theblondelikesbooks.wordpress...

The Girl Before features two women who move into the same house, years apart form one another. Emma, who lives there first, ends up dying under mysterious circumstances. The case can't conclusively decide whether her death was an accident, a suicide, or murder. Jane moves in a little more than a year later, after the apartment had been vacant for a year. As she gets settled in, she learns about Emma, and starts doing a little digging into her death. She quickly comes to find that Emma looks a lot like her, and that they both had relationships with the same man - the architect of the house.

One Folgate Street is an architectural masterpiece. It's entirely integrated with technology, and is a beautiful home. That said, in order to live there, there are 200 rules that the tenant has to abide by. Yes, you read that right. 200! Including no books, pictures, or personal items. In addition to agreeing to the rules, in order to live in the apartment, tenants have to fill out a long survey, send in pictures, and complete an in person interview before getting approved. Why anyone would agree to all of that is beyond me. Give up my books?! No, thank you.

The Girl Before is positioned as a thriller, though personally, I found it really slow moving. I didn't dislike the build up, but the story didn't feel like a thriller at all (and barely even felt like a mystery) until more than 70% into the book. Details and revelations come very very slowly, and leave the reader little room to guess what happened and what the end of the book would entail.

What I did enjoy reading about were the details of the house. While I could never in a million years live in a house with that many rules, the technology the house employed was amazing. Windows that automatically darkened depending on the time of day? Shower heads that were responsive by person and knew the exact water temperature you liked? Yes, please!

I also enjoyed that the story alternated between Emma and Jane, so we were able to understand both women and what happened to them as it was happening. That said, their voices sounded identical. It was really difficult to tell them apart, and I found myself flipping back and forth to chapter titles so I could remember whose part I was reading a few times.

All in all, I did like the book. I loved the twists and turns that happened in the last 30% of the book. I felt like that's when it really turned into a thriller! The resolution was great, and I really loved the ending and final revelations! If you're looking for a book that's instant action from page one, this isn't the book for you. If you're comfortable with something slow building but interesting and willing to wait a while for the action, definitely pick this one up! I would rate this 3.5 stars if half stars were a thing on Goodreads. Because I loved the last 20%, I'll round up for Goodreads purposes.

The Girl Before will be released on January 24, 2017. Thank you to NetGalley, J.P. Delaney, and Random House Bellantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Oct 11, 2016 Sharon Huether rated it it was amazing

Shelves: suspence, psychological-thriller

A relationship based on perfection. A home built to perfection and maintained to perfection. These ideals are impossible to keep.
Emma and her son died in this perfect house or near it.
Jane wanted to live in One Folgate Street house, the perfect place.
Jane was chosen to live there from the questionnaire she filled out.
All through the book comparisons were made between Emma and Jane.
Jane was obsessed by two men just as Emma was.
Jane experienced the same terror as Emma had. Jane was the only one ...more

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Sep 24, 2016 Jaksen rated it it was amazing

Great psychological thriller with plenty of surprises. Read it in two days.

I won this book from the Goodreads giveaway program - an advance reader's edition - and am quite glad I did. I didn't know what to expect, but this was one great read.

Told from the POV of two alternating MC's, both young women, in present tense. However, one woman, Emma, is labeled as 'Then,' and the other, Jane, is labeled 'Now.' This makes the story unfold in a rather linear fashion, even though Emma's story is happenin ...more

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Nov 17, 2016 Beth rated it it was ok

Shelves: break-out-the-brain-bleach, dangerous-implications, disappointment, loved-the-premise, whiny-girls, need-want-longing, could-have-been-better, wanted-to-love-but, adult, adult-fiction, arc, what-the-hell-is-going-on, 2016-reads

1.5 stars

"Every woman adores a fascist…"
- Sylvia Plath

Sorry for the incredibly predictable quote at the top there, guys, but I thought you needed a warning: that above quote is basically the entire principle of the novel. The Gone Girl comp is painful for me. That book is my favourite of 2013, and one of my favourite books of all time; I was incredibly excited about this book, not because of that comp, but because of the interesting & exciting premise. Unfortunately, the result is more like ...more

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Jan 04, 2017 The Book Review Café rated it really liked it

Review to follow

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Sep 21, 2016 Debra rated it really liked it

Received from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Holy Moly!

Rules Rule Rules you must follow the rules!

This is a unique psychological thriller that had me turning the pages. This book tells the story of Emma before and Jane Now. Both women who have had traumatic things happen to them in their lives and through a long application process are able to rent One Folgate Street. A home built by an eccentric architect who suffered the loss of his wife and son. The home is very Received from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Holy Moly!

Rules Rule Rules you must follow the rules!

This is a unique psychological thriller that had me turning the pages. This book tells the story of Emma before and Jane Now. Both women who have had traumatic things happen to them in their lives and through a long application process are able to rent One Folgate Street. A home built by an eccentric architect who suffered the loss of his wife and son. The home is very stark and occupants must abide by a very long rental agreement.

Emma

Emma moves into One Folgate Street with her boyfriend, Simon, after a break in at their home. Soon things start to change and Emma begins a relationship with the strange, handsome architect.

Jane

Jane moves into One Folgate Street after a traumatic loss. She finds the home to be interesting but not as interesting as the architect and the story of the loss of his wife and his relationship with it's former occupant, Emma.

I loved how the chapters flipped back and forth between the two women's stories. This made the book a very fast read. Things never got dull. There really is not down time in this book. No long descriptions, no wordy prose. It was actually quite nice to read a bit about one woman in the past and then read about the other woman in the future. Sometimes when books have multiple POW's being told it gets tedious. Not in this book. This is this books strong point IMO. Though going back and forth in time and reading each woman's POW, it soon becomes apparent that the two women are tied together somehow. Even the house itself is like a character in the book as it is built to learn about them and to help make them "better".

Not everyone is as they seem in this book. I really loved that aspect. Who is telling the truth? Who is the wolf in sheep's clothing? What really happens? Who can we trust? I really enjoyed the twists and turns.

This was a very fast read. Very enjoyable and well thought out. Is it the best book I have ever read? No, certainly not but it is a very enjoyable book. Sometimes it is just a pleasure to sit and read a book that grabs one's attention, is entertaining and makes one think.

I will definitely be reading more by this Author. ...more

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Sep 29, 2016 Tami rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

First of all, I want to point out how much I appreciated the ending of this book. I love books that have a resolved ending that leaves me feeling satisfied about the outcome. :D

The Girl Before follows the story of Emma (in the past) and Jane (in the present). It's a story about a house (One Folgate Street) that is a perfect home for people who want a nice house but can't afford an expensive one. But why is it so cheap? The one condition to purchasing this home is that you have to agree follow Th First of all, I want to point out how much I appreciated the ending of this book. I love books that have a resolved ending that leaves me feeling satisfied about the outcome. :D

The Girl Before follows the story of Emma (in the past) and Jane (in the present). It's a story about a house (One Folgate Street) that is a perfect home for people who want a nice house but can't afford an expensive one. But why is it so cheap? The one condition to purchasing this home is that you have to agree follow The Rules and be accepted after a strict application process, which most people don't pass.

Emma is looking for a new start after her and her boyfriend's apartment was violently broken into while she was home alone. A little further in the future, Jane suffers the death of her perfect baby girl and wants to start over in a new home that doesn't remind her of the baby. Neither one of them can afford an expensive home, and they both are amazed by the simplicity and minimalist style of One Folgate Street.

To apply for the house, the women fill out a long questionnaire with seemingly odd and sometimes personal questions and send photos of themselves along with it. Both of them send in their applications and receive an interview with Edward Monkford, the architect of the home. Monkford is gorgeous but controlling, and both women are drawn to him.

Soon after she moves in, Jane finds out that the woman who lived in the house before her (Emma) had died under strange circumstances. She also finds out that she bears a striking resemblance to Emma - and to Monkford's late wife. Jane becomes obsessed with Emma's story and finding out what happened to her. I don't want to ruin anything so I'll stop there!

The writing was very well thought-out and I really liked the way that it was told. The alternating chapters of Emma's POV (in the past) and Jane's POV (in the present) fit together really well. I thought that it was full of suspense and the ending was definitely not expected. Also, readers will never guess who "the girl before" is. I thought I had it figured out early on but I was wrong. The whole book was brilliant, in my opinion.

Copy provided by Netgalley for a review. ...more

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Sep 22, 2016 Bandit rated it liked it · review of another edition

So this is apparently the new trend in thrillers. The For Us By Us female authored female centric stories, more so title specified to be so. The Girl Before is a fascinatingly frustrating read wherein the narrative is so much more clever and compelling than any of its characters, particularly the main two heroines, the girl before, Emma, and the girl after, Jane. Those two are just...insipid, infuriating, maddening. The book itself is essentially Fifty Shades of Grey with architecture. Both Emma So this is apparently the new trend in thrillers. The For Us By Us female authored female centric stories, more so title specified to be so. The Girl Before is a fascinatingly frustrating read wherein the narrative is so much more clever and compelling than any of its characters, particularly the main two heroines, the girl before, Emma, and the girl after, Jane. Those two are just...insipid, infuriating, maddening. The book itself is essentially Fifty Shades of Grey with architecture. Both Emma and Jane in their respective timelines, which are precision interweaved throughout the story, occasionally dizzyingly so, fall for an obsessive compulsive domineering architect with S&M tendencies, Edward, after coming to live in his showcase of a house. Appropriately both the house and its creator have all the charm and warmth of a particularly ascetic modern design, you know the sort with limited number of uncomfortable overpriced furniture and slick austere nothingness. Yeah, that, apparently irresistible to a certain type of women, someone's who's undergone a recent tragedy, for example. And so the games begin...while Edward can't be entirely trusted, neither can as it turns out anyone. Delaney muddies the waters with unreliable narrators and suspense, so you just have to find out what's going on, and to her credit she does create a dynamic fun sort of a thriller, almost in spite of her oversexed imbecile characters. And so as entertaining as it was, the estrogen just overwhelmed it much too much for it to be genuinely good. Maybe I'm not its typical target audience. This was quite possibly meant for those who thought Fifty Shades of Grey needed some suspense and a murder or two. Maybe I shouldn't be referring to the book I haven't actually read, but I know the gist, doesn't everyone by now. At any rate shame to see an obviously talented author limiting herself to a trend, trends are stupid for the most part anyway, but surely money talks and all that. For a frustrating book this really was quite fun and a quick read too. Thanks Netgalley. ...more

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Jan 02, 2017 Dorie rated it liked it · review of another edition

I’m really not sure how to rate this book. I’d like to give it a 3 for some good writing but the story was just so utterly unbelievable and the characters so unlikable that I don’t want anyone to think that I would recommend this book. The author is obviously very talented so I’ll stick with the 3.

The premise of the book sounded interesting, and it certainly had some rave reviews from other authors: “Dazzling, startling, and above all cunning—a pitch-perfect novel of psychological suspense.“—Lee I’m really not sure how to rate this book. I’d like to give it a 3 for some good writing but the story was just so utterly unbelievable and the characters so unlikable that I don’t want anyone to think that I would recommend this book. The author is obviously very talented so I’ll stick with the 3.

The premise of the book sounded interesting, and it certainly had some rave reviews from other authors: “Dazzling, startling, and above all cunning—a pitch-perfect novel of psychological suspense.“—Lee Child

For a thriller to be a real page turner and give me that “tingly, tense” feeling, I need to find it believable. The two main characters, Emma and then Jane are our narrators and the chapters alternate between the two voices.

Emma has suffered a personal trauma and supposedly is the perfect type of woman who would be taken in by Edward and his incredibly constricting rules for renting a home that he built with many things computer controlled by someone called “housekeeper”. She has to fill out an application that is about 20 pages long and asks incredibly personal and downright stupid questions. Emma moves in, a victim of Edward’s sociopathic, narcissistic personality and has a relationship with him.

Jane is our present day narrator, another woman who suffered a personal tragedy, Same rules, same manipulation, same relationship with the multi-flawed Edward. When she starts to investigate what happened to Emma, Edward becomes furious and cuts off his relationship with Jane. She,however, continues to investigate Emma’s death including befriending her previous boyfriend, Simon. Here enters another component to the puzzle of what really happened to Emma.

I could not believe that anyone would want to rent a place that has so many manipulative rules and does not allow you not to bring in anything personal to change the appearance of the stark, minimalist environment. Why would you rent from someone who is so domineering and obviously manipulative?

What really put me over the line on this book however was the (*spoiler alert) introduction of the subject of Down’s syndrome. I’m not sure why the author chose to bring up this very sensitive subject in the telling of a psychological thriller. I felt it was out of place and served no purpose. There was also way too much sexual detail in this book, more than I felt was necessary to tell the story. The Girl Before we find out is not really Emma, but I'll leave that to the readers to find out.

I would not recommend this book but I’m sure there is an audience out there for it. I did finish it as I wanted to read the outcome but that also was disappointing to me.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.

...more

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Oct 13, 2016 Mary rated it it was ok

I was intrigued with the premise of this book. A psychological thriller compared to Gone Girl. Sadly...it was not. That's not to say that it wasn't a good story. Two women who separately one before the next agree to live in a high tech house with a zillion rules and have to fill out questionnaires or certain "privileges" (ie: hot water in the shower) will be cut. Who would agree to that???? But, they did. Each chapter was told from one of their perspectives, which kept things moving along really ...more

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Dec 17, 2016 Sue rated it really liked it

The Girl Before is an exciting, psychological thriller that keeps you turning pages until the end. Two women, at different times, are looking for an apartment and One Folgate Street looks like a dream come true..except for the pages and pages of requirements that they have to agree to. They both decide that they MUST live there and this is the story of what went on in the house.

What I Liked about this book:
-The plot was full of twists and turns and kept you eagerly reading to see what was going ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 MoyJoy rated it really liked it

WHOA! *in my Joey voice*

Now, I get why publishers do the 'If you liked The Girl On The Train' this book is for you! But I almost think it does a disservice to the book they're trying to get me to read. So I almost avoided this. Alas, the actual description here on Netgalley was so riveting I requested it, and I'm thrilled that I did (no pun intended)! I want to read a book because YOU think it's great, not because it's just like someone else's book (I didn't even like The Girl On The Train. Rach WHOA! *in my Joey voice*

Now, I get why publishers do the 'If you liked The Girl On The Train' this book is for you! But I almost think it does a disservice to the book they're trying to get me to read. So I almost avoided this. Alas, the actual description here on Netgalley was so riveting I requested it, and I'm thrilled that I did (no pun intended)! I want to read a book because YOU think it's great, not because it's just like someone else's book (I didn't even like The Girl On The Train. Rachel was far too pathetic for my taste.)

Now THIS... this was an innovative spin on those other psychological novels. The house itself became a character. I actually wish that was explored more. I loved the way all of the characters developed here. (view spoiler) ...more

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Oct 03, 2016 Lisa rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: fans of "The Girl on the Train"

Shelves: netgalley, 2016, mystery-thriller

A true page turning psychological thriller! Using a similar writing style of "The Girl on the Train," this novel takes you through multiple points of view to tell the story. It is fascinating to see how the lines cross and how the characters' lives are similar in more than just the setting. "The Girl Before" provides the reader with details that allow the reader to feel involved in the story. I particularly loved how some of the application or status questions appear in the work. It gave me a ch ...more

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Dec 12, 2016 Tanninsandtales added it · review of another edition

Emma was looking for a flat. Jane is now looking for a flat. Both have gone through traumatic experiences and decided that a change of scene would do them good. Both are shown this unbelievable place designed by a famous architect: beautiful, modern, in a great neighbourhood and within budget. Who cares about the 200 conditions one has to fullfill in order to be able to rent it?

I have read a sampler of this novel and can hardly wait to read the whole book.

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Sep 05, 2016 Kayla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, contemporary, favorites, psychological, thriller, arc

This is the best thriller I've read in a long time. I devoured it quicker than THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. It reads fast since the chapters are short and switch between Then-Emma and Now-Jane. The house in which they both lived has a personality of its own, and there are so many lies and half-truths, you will be second-guessing what you thought you knew throughout. This will definitely be the next big seller, and I cannot wait to see how they make this movie.

Pre-order this one right away! Publishes ...more

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Jun 26, 2016 Stephanie rated it liked it

Shelves: arc, june, 2016

Everything is trying to be the next GONE GIRL or GIRL ON THE TRAIN... and, with the notable exception of Peter Swanson's THE KIND WORTH KILLING, nothing comes close. THE GIRL BEFORE is an admirable effort, but I'd call it a closer readalike for Koch's THE DINNER -- characters that are either unlikeable and odious or shallowly drawn, moving toward a conclusion that is both interesting and predictable and an ending that falls flat. You won't be sorry that you read it, but you won't be blown away, ...more

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May 17, 2016 Megan rated it it was amazing

A tense psychological thriller. Well written, quick reading. Characters you think you know, you really don't, and ones you think you don't, somehow you do. Very twisty and intriguing!

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Dec 06, 2016 Jenny (Jenny's Book Bag) Baker rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, arc, net-galley, psychological-thrillers, 2016, 2017-releases

The Girl Before is an entertaining, yet predictable psychological thriller involving the fates of two women who move into an elaborately designed home, owned by an eccentric owner who enforces over two hundred rules. The list of rules includes no books, no pets, no children, no personal effects, and no throw pillows among many others. I would never move into a house that didn’t allow books, pets, or children. However, two women choose to live there, three years apart, one dies (not a secret), an ...more

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Oct 19, 2016 Beth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery

I loved this psychological suspense novel! It's about two women, Jane in the present and Emma in the past, who both signed a lease for an austere but luxurious, high-tech house with over 200 specific rules for tenants. Edward, the house's obsessive-compulsive architect, interviews prospective tenants who are willing to accept all the rules and has his own idiosyncratic criteria for selecting those who receive the privilege to live in this special home. We find out early on that Emma died in the ...more

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Oct 07, 2016 Jen rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, suspense

The Girl Before by JP Delaney is another book in the trend of mostly unlikable characters.

Add a coldly efficient house to the mix. The chapters alternate between Emma and Jane, past and present. Each of these young women are willing "audition" to rent a clinically beautiful and technologically advanced house by a famous minimalist architect. First comes a long questionnaire of odd and personal questions.

Each young woman fills out the questionnaire which also requires three photos. Hmmmm. The w ...more

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Oct 18, 2016 Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-shelf, england

I received ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

The story is told by two women, Then: Emma and Now: Jane. Each finding a fresh start at One Folgate Street. Each woman finding the architect of the building, Edward Monkford, fascinating and obsessive.

Good story, kept me guessing until the end.

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Oct 16, 2016 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Totally engrossing. I read it in just a few hours and stayed up well past my bedtime to finish it.
The premise is very promising and highly unique and for the majority of the book I was nearly cheering at how good it was. The ending fell a little flat for me, sadly. Nevertheless this is a very good psychological thriller that will fly off of the shelves next year.

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Sep 24, 2016 Linda rated it really liked it

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine for the ARC of "The Girl Before" by JP Delaney. I was intrigued by the plot and various twists of this terrifying psychological thriller. JP Delaney uses the concepts of perfection, flaws, instability,strengths and weaknesses as part of her characters descriptions.She compares them to computer ratings, ideals, architecture, and buildings. There are several murders that occur in the past and present in a specifically designed ...more

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