A genuine and honest story about love and loss, with a darkly funny streak that reminds us just how strange life really is. A gripping, darkly comic tale of searing loss, coercive control and the consequences of taking the wrong path. Every morning Janet Brown goes to work cleaning offices. It calms her, cleanliness, neatness. All the things she’s unable to do with her soul can be achieved with a damp cloth and a splash of bleach. However, the guilt she still carries about a devastating loss that happened eleven years ago, cannot be erased. Charlotte Levin is one of the most interesting and talented writers around at the moment -- Trevor Wood, bestselling author of Dead End Street

There is no doubt in my mind that Charlotte could be the next “Mistress of Misery” or “Dame of Dysfunction” because she creates the most incredible characters and puts them in situations that make my sphincter clench!! With each of her books, I read with an overwhelming feeling of dread and discomfort and this is exactly how I like to feel when reading psychological thrillers. A deeply empathetic exploration of grief, loneliness, guilt, toxic relationships and forgiving oneself. At its heart, this is a poignantly sad story, but it is told with such humour and warmth that one cannot help but enjoy every nuance drawn through the perfectly written prose." - Louise Fein As all this unfolds, we find out what happened the night Claire died, that Janet was leaving Colin because of his abusive controlling behaviour. She’s subjected herself to this for 11 years as punishment for killing their daughter. The reasoning behind choosing the “safe” areas is also illogical. Some nearer destinations are out of bounds or a scarier prospect than somewhere further yet familiar. But to clarify, none are far from my house. I’m trapped within the constraints of my hometown – the only occasion where the term “Madchester” would be acceptable. My restrictions aren’t limited to the where but also the when. The only thing worse than a journey is a journey with bad traffic. The vision of red brake lights ahead is a certain trigger. Overheating, nausea, dizziness, palpitations and derealisation are all exacerbated by the fact I can’t escape. I really enjoyed this book and really struggled to put it down. The short chapters made it such a fast pace read and I was constantly wanting to read more. This book had a slow paced thriller style to it which I really enjoyed and kept me on the edge of my seat at times. We find out something has happened to Janet’s daughter but we’re not made aware until quite a few chapters into the book which kept me hooked.

Dorothy Koomson

If I Let You Go is an unsettling, character-driven novel that introduces us to Janet, a young woman who, after a tragic accident eleven years ago, has spent her life in the shadows, performing her cleaning job to the best of her abilities, keeping house and placating her domineering husband, and visiting her elderly father as often as possible, until one night she decides she’s had enough and by morning her life will be irrevocably changed forever when she wakes to discover she’s a heroine of a train crash she can’t actually remember. If you want a story to get its fingernails into you and have you both wanting to cover your eyes and not stop reading, then this is the story for you. Every morning Janet Brown goes to work cleaning offices. It calms her, cleanliness, neatness. All the things she's unable to do with her soul can be achieved with a damp cloth and a splash of bleach. However, the guilt she still carries about a devastating loss that happened eleven years ago, cannot be erased. A thoughtful, beautifully written book about grief, and ordinary people being thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Unusual and compelling, with just a touch of humour. Loved it -- Catherine Cooper author of The Chalet and The Cruise

The story embraces some difficult topics — loss, grief, guilt, blame — but Levin handles them with the utmost sensitivity. I even found some sympathy for Colin, who at the end of the day was also a victim. But it was Janet I cared and rooted for. I loved If I Let You Go. It is beautifully written, stark yet redemptive - moving, hopeful, powerful and wonderfully human. Charlotte Levin is the queen of complex narrators. I feel like I've known Janet all my life. -- Caroline Hulse, author of All the Fun of the Fair Utterly gripping, almost unbearably poignant yet warm, wise and full of hope - a story I'll remember for a long time. -- Frances Quinn bestselling author of The Smallest Man Then, Janet finds herself involved in a train crash and, recognizing the chance to do what she couldn't all those years ago, she makes a decision. As news spreads of Janet's actions, her story inspires everyone around her, and for the first time her life has purpose and the future is filled with hope. Until the anniversary of Claires death when Janet rebels against Colin with tragic consequences when Janet is involved in an accident that has her hailed a hero. Janet believes she has been redeemed for Claires death, but as she becomes well known for her heroic act, she starts to remember what really happened that night.

Michael Robotham

This is the story of Janet Brown, a woman weighed down by guilt and grief, whose small world revolves around her cleaning job, her elderly father in his care home, and controlling husband Colin. She is wholly subservient to Colin, who dictates her every move. It’s a sad little life, but no more than Janet deserves; the penance she pays for the tragic mistake of eleven years ago.