Blog Tour: Stay Mad, Sweetheart by Heleen Kist

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

THERE'S A FINE LINE BETWEEN INNOCENCE AND GUILT. AN EVEN FINER LINE BETWEEN JUSTICE AND REVENGE.
Data scientist Laura prefers the company of her books to the real world - let alone that cesspit online. But when her best friend Emily becomes the victim of horrific cyberbullying, she makes it her all-engulfing mission to track down the worst culprits.
Petite corporate financier Suki is about to outshine the stupid boys at her firm: she's leading the acquisition of Edinburgh's most exciting start-up. If only she could get its brilliant, but distracted, co-founder Laura to engage.
Event planner Claire is left to salvage the start-up's annual conference after her colleague Emily fails to return to work. She's determined to get a promotion out of it, but her boss isn't playing ball.
As the women's paths intertwine, the insidious discrimination they each face comes to light. Emboldened by Emily's tragic experience, they join forces to plot the downfall of all those who've wronged them.
But with emotions running high, will the punishments fit the crimes?
A pacy suspense fiction novel with its feet firmly in the #MeToo era.
9 to 5 meets Suits with a dash of Black Mirror.

Happy new week to everyone!  Well I am extremely excited to bring to you my review for Stay Mad, Sweetheart by the awesome Heleen Kist.  In order for a reader to truly enjoy a book they need to connect with it on some level, be that a previous experience, a love for the story or a topic that you have wanted someone accurately depict for some time.  This is the book that we all didn’t know we needed.  This book ticks all the boxes.  The writing is plain addictive with kaleidoscopic complexity.  Now I know that the term – favourite book of the year is thrown around a lot, but this book truly deserves that title, it deserves the awards, hell its importance makes it essential reading. 

So, what is there to reel you in, if I haven’t already convinced you to pick this book up now?  A locked room of human emotion

Everyday sexism

Online bullying and trolling

A compulsively heart-breaking mystery

Sexual Abuse

Sizzling girl power

Strong female characters

I’m not sure that I give this book the justice it so rightly deserves.  Heleen Kist has created a Literary sensation, it’s the book of our time.  This book was created to move- it propels forward and doesn’t look back.  This book was so in your face and garners your attention immediately from the very first page.  The book was almost too hot to touch.  You will not be able to put this book down until its done…

Data Scientist, Laura is one hell of a character.  She’s the hero we didn’t know we needed.  She’s cleverer than the average, she’s a good friend and daughter but she also has her insecurities and she damn near relatable to every woman I know.  She’s had the knowledge, the know-how and the balls to build her company from nothing with her partner, Justin.  He’s the face, she’s the brains.  I wish I had her strength…she may not know it but boy is she the epitome of strength. her dad has died, and her mum is remarrying, and her partner is headed in a different direction.  She feels she can’t control any of these things…but she takes derisive action in finding out what happened to her best friend.  She has the knowledge and drive to nail whoever is to blame. 

Now the main theme within the book is equality or lack thereof.  She becomes acutely aware that she has been manipulated by a male colleague.  This is all going on during the company’s acquisition.  She’s shocked, hurt and betrayed. How in this day and age can such equality be allowed to breed and fester?  Luckily her acquaintance with two other wronged woman leaves her feeling empowered and ready to kick some ass!  I love the spunk the trio of women have and their desire to change things for the better.  Laura is special, it’s the choices she makes, the morals she has instilled within herself and the decision not to take it anymore.  Her strength of character is inspiring, and you just can’t help flying through the pages.  She has gone from the victim to an independent ass kicking woman.  She doesn’t let anything stand in her way, justice will be done, and she will come out on top.  Heleen Kist weaves this multi-faceted web, and yet during all this Laura doesn’t lose her humanity, the need for revenge doesn’t change who she is, she just won’t stand for everyday sexism/equality to be lurking in the corners threatening to engulf them whole.  The Me-too movement needs someone like Laura and her friends.  Those guys are the true superhero’s in our messed-up world. 

I just adored the nerdy element to Laura’s character.  It just brought her to life all the more.  This made her the perfect one to do some technological take downs.  I related to her from the very start and loved that she was introverted, was in love with her books.  Laura is definitely the character you would want as your best friend.  She has built a software programme that can run data through it so that it can detect if an employee is suffering with discontent, depression/anxiety but it can also highlight who are true influencers and who is bad guys.  It is truly radical.  Their journey to revenge and justice is a harrowing one but it is so worthwhile.

Stay Mad, Sweetheart is as sharp as a knife.  An expert at crafting thought provoking content and leaving you feeling empowered.  This novel is so patently heartfelt, a necessary read for everyone.  Important with imagery that leaves you in the centre of the storm, you feel anguish.  Just please go and read this now…it’s that good.

Thank you to Dylan @Red Dog Press for my spot on the blog tour and a copy of the book. All thoughts are unbiased.

I’m Heleen and I love writing novels. 

If this sounds like an addiction, that’s because it probably has become one.

I’m Dutch and I live in Glasgow with Scottish husband and our two kids.

My debut crime novel IN SERVITUDE came out in 2018. I’m very proud of its success in various awards + reviews.

STAY MAD, SWEETHEART is my latest novel: a dark yet empowering feminist thriller that’s getting rave reviews already.

Have a look around and stay in touch through Twitter, Facebook or my newsletter.