Tag: Book Review

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Her Sister’s Secret (Lynes)-BoT-Suspense Thriller-Available Now

What a twisted story this was. Part psychological thriller, part family drama, with mystery and a bit of courtroom drama added in, it definitely had me enthralled – especially as it picked up speed toward the middle.

The first thing that jumped out at me about this book was the atmosphere that the author managed to create. Usually, that is done through descriptions of places, seasons, etc.

But in this case, I felt it was more through the characters’ actions and stories that related. Ultimately, what was revealed was a multi-layered web of lies created by several different people.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Isla. In some ways, she stayed a little bit of a mystery throughout, because it really wasn’t her story. She was trying to get to the bottom of what had happened to her sister, Annie.

That thread unravels through flashbacks to Annie’s story as told from Annie’s own perspective. The chapters were clearly marked, so there was never any confusion as to whose perspective I was reading or where in time the action was taking place.

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As Isla asks questions of the people who knew her sister best, what at first seemed to be a straightforward domestic incident soon appears to be much more complicated. I said that she was a bit of a mystery, but I think she was off-balance, not knowing who to believe and not even trusting herself.

I think this was purposeful to keep the reader just as off-balance. It was well-done and a very effective way to relate the story.

For example, Isla constantly wonders how she and her sister could have drifted so far apart from each other, and she struggles with townspeople knowing more about Annie than she does.

However, in Annie’s flashbacks, the reader learns that it’s not just Isla who became distant (physically) but also Annie who became distant because if she talked to Isla about one thing, she would have to admit to other things. And Annie didn’t want to do that.

I’ve said in several past reviews that I am a firm believer in NOT giving spoilers or relating too much as to spoil the experience for other readers. This is certainly the case in point for this book.

I will say that by the time I got to the end of it, I was amazed at the author’s ability to craft a story of love and betrayal, what people put up with to hold on to what they see as love (even if it’s not) and the lengths that people will go to in efforts to protect those who they love.

It was a well-crafted book that held my interest from beginning to end and I highly recommend it.

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Other People’s Marriages-BoT-Family Drama-Available Now

“Gripping and emotional family drama” is not always my favorite genre. I often feel that there is enough family drama in real life that I don’t need to read about other people’s problems.
However, every once in a while, a book comes along that strikes a chord and makes me realize that all families have their own issues.
This is that book.
Now, I realize that it’s fiction, but this author has a gift for writing approachable stories with realistic characters who have plausible reactions. That’s a fancy way of saying this book is totally relatable and I imagine just about anyone could find something or someone familiar in its pages.
I liked how the author made Steph, Evie, and Teresa distinct individuals. They were clear cut and well-defined.
However, each of them also had a bit of each of the others in them, which only became apparent as later events transpired.
For example, Evie was the “go along to get along” type – until she wasn’t. We didn’t get the realization in actual time (due to the way the plot transpired), but it was an event that was obviously a long time coming. And when it happened, she became more like how she perceived Steph to be.
At the same time, Steph was the Alpha personality who thought she had everything under control, until she realized that she was actually making excuse after excuse to maintain a status quo that made her unhappy.
Teresa seemed to be the floater, not a strong or weak personality, just stable. But she was put in awkward positions multiple times.

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I thought the author’s perspective on friendships and marriages was extremely interesting and well represented. One can never know what is going on in someone else’s life, and making assumptions serves no purpose.
That being said, the book really centers around secrets. Should a person keep a secret from a best friend? Does the severity of the secret determine whether or not it should be shared? Is it ever too late to tell the truth about something? Is a lifelong friendship and automatic allowance to sharing everything, even if something happened decades before?
The author wisely addresses all of these questions through the interactions of Teresa, Steph, and Evie. At the same time, the reader is challenged to evaluate those questions for themselves.
As to plot details, well…look elsewhere. I was more taken by how the author managed to explore friendships and marriages in an entertaining but provocative manner.
This is indeed an emotional page turner with lots of family drama. You’ll be challenged to do some deep-thinking (if you so choose) but you’ll also be captivated by how obviously simple some of the realizations are (once the characters come to them, that is).
Ultimately, it’s an excellent book that is heartfelt and realistic with relatable characters and a plot that will keep you turning pages.

Author Bio:
Kerry Fisher is a million-copy bestselling author. She writes women’s contemporary fiction, is a USA Today bestseller and her books have been translated into twelve languages. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica. After returning to England to work as a journalist, she eventually abandoned real life stories for the secrets of fictional families. She lives in Surrey with her husband, and a naughty Lab/Schnauzer called Poppy, who joins in the huge dances of joy when her young adult children come home.

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Those I Have Lost (Maas)-BoT-Historical Fiction-Available Now

I feel like I have started reviews like this several times, but it bears repeating.

I love learning new things, especially from historical novels. WWII is a popular time setting, and it is very easy to find any number of books featuring some aspect of that particular war. This book is one of them.

It’s easy to get tunnel vision about WWII as well because we tend to think of mainly of England, America, Germany, and France (for the most part) – and again, there are certainly several books that cover the numerous stories from those countries.

However, the setting in this one is truly unique, as I don’t think I have ever read about WWII from the perspective of people in India/Sri Lanka (Ceylon). That alone makes this book worth your time. There’s more to like and discover, though.

The author has a knack for creating strong heroines who face unusual struggles (see Her Darkest Hour). That is definitely the case for Rosie.

When her mother dies unexpectedly, she is thrust into a position that is totally strange to her. Add in WWII and the impact it has on her new home, and it’s a compelling story.

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It did take me a while to get into the book. There was a long setup to establish Rosie’s perspective, including much detail about the how and why she ends up where she does. And it takes a very long time for the author to get back to tying in the prologue.

But once WWII begins, the story really takes off. There is excitement, dread, fear, romance…everything you could want from a historical novel.

I will say that if you’re looking for a happy ending, you won’t exactly find it here. But you will find realistic relationships and resolutions. I do like that about this author. She understands that war does not necessarily make for happy or heartwarming endings – but there is a sense of hope.

What stood out most for me were the descriptions. The author gives vivid details of clothing, places, and customs. For me, that almost made it like two novels combined – life in Ceylon in the 1930s and 40s, but with the war added in.

I love the richness of the details in this author’s stories. Her unique settings and perspectives make her favorite, and I highly recommend this book.

Twitter: @sharon_maas
https://www.sharonmaas.com/

Author Bio:

Sharon Maas was born into a prominent political family in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951. She was educated in England, Guyana, and, later, Germany. After leaving school, she worked as a trainee reporter with the Guyana Graphic in Georgetown and later wrote feature articles for the Sunday Chronicle as a staff journalist.

Her first novel, Of Marriageable Age, is set in Guyana and India and was published by HarperCollins in 1999. In 2014 she moved to Bookouture, and now has ten novels under her belt. Her books span continents, cultures, and eras. From the sugar plantations of colonial British Guiana in South America, to the French battlefields of World War Two, to the present-day brothels of Mumbai and the rice-fields and villages of South India, Sharon never runs out of stories for the armchair traveller.

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The Beach House (Jones)-Blog Tour-Thriller-Available Now

This is by far one of the most “thinking-person” thrillers that I have read in a long time.

From the opening paragraphs to the thrilling ending, the author delivers a page-turning, thought-provoking, claustrophobic story. I couldn’t put it down – and pretty much ignored everything else I was supposed to be doing in favor of reading this book.

There’s a lot of good stuff here, but (as always) I don’t want to give details away, so I’m going to try to be as vague but specific as possible. Good luck to me.

One of the things that stood out to me while reading this was that the author did a phenomenal job of conveying the fear that Grace was feeling. At any given moment, I could have jumped at a sudden noise, as I became involved in Grace’s caution about her surroundings.

That feeling built slowly, even as it started from the very first scene – who was responsible for the “gift” that Grace found in her kitchen? Was it tied to her past (that she has worked extra-hard to hide) or was it a fluke? Or something in the middle?

I loved how the author wrote Grace. She was complex by necessity, but it was as if there were two different characters – and Grace referred to her old self as if she was a completely different person.

I suppose in retrospect, there’s a little bit of truth there. People constantly reinvent themselves and often feel like they’ve lived several lifetimes. But Grace is something more. She’s tried to bury the past and create an entirely new persona – almost like a self-imposed witness-protection program. Her character was deep and fascinating.

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Towards the beginning, Grace refers to how people were always part of the little plays she made up in her mind. That could not be more true for the other characters. I constantly felt like everyone else existed to be a part of Grace’s story. As such, we didn’t get much depth to them – but it wasn’t needed. They played their parts.

I also liked how the past event was trickled out over the course of the book. There were no abrupt changes of time or flashbacks. The re-telling of Grace’s past occurs naturally as Grace thinks about it in the present.

I know that sounds a little convoluted, but it allowed the reader to truly have an insight to Grace’s frame of mind, because every part of the story (past and present) was from her, with her feelings and opinions coloring the memories and events.

It was effective and ultimately what kept me involved. I liked that I had to think like Grace to be able to continue reading. It helped that the author has a gift for painting full pictures with her descriptions of people and places (from Grace’s observations, of course). They were fully evocative and encompassing.

Of course, there are big revelations and some excellent plot points (that I will NOT be giving away). But by the time you get to them, you’ll be as on edge as Grace was – so be warned.

Aside from a few ill-chosen references that had no place in the story, I thought this was extremely well-done, and quite a good thriller. If you get spooked easily, you may want to read this one with the lights on. Grace’s fear will do that to you.

Twitter:@bevjoneswriting
Facebook: bev.jones.9083477
Instagram: bevjoneswriting/

Author Info:

Beverley Jones, also known as B E Jones, is a former journalist and police press officer, now a novelist and general book obsessive. Bev was born in a small village in the South Wales valleys, north of Cardiff. She started her journalism career with Trinity Mirror newspapers, writing stories for The Rhondda Leader and The Western Mail, before becoming a broadcast journalist with BBC Wales Today TV news, based in Cardiff. She has worked on all aspects of crime reporting (as well as community news and features) producing stories and content for newspapers and live TV.

Most recently Bev worked as a press officer for South Wales Police, dealing with the media and participating in criminal investigations, security operations and emergency planning.

Perhaps unsurprisingly she channels these experiences of ‘true crime,’ and her insight into the murkier side of human nature, into her dark, psychological thrillers set in and around South Wales.

Her latest novels, Where She Went, Halfway and Wilderness, are published by Little Brown under the name BE Jones. Wilderness has recently been optioned for a six part TV adaptation by Firebird Pictures. Her seventh novel, The Beach House, is due for release in June 2021 under the name Beverley Jones. Chat with her on Goodreads.co.uk under B E Jones or Beverley Jones and on Twitter and Instagram @bevjoneswriting Bev is represented by The Ampersand Agency.

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Cross My Heart (Hood)-BoT-Serial Killer Thriller-Available Now

By this point (book 12!), you would think that we would be familiar enough with Detectives Kane and Alton that things would feel familiar and comforting, right?

Wrong!

While there is a lot that you can take for granted (especially if you’ve read any number of the previous 11 books) this author has a talent for upping the game each time, making every new installment seem just as fresh as the previous one.

It’s a tough task, especially in a series with this kind of longevity, but I’m always impressed with the author’s ability to keep things moving and non-repetitive.

I’ve made clear in the past how I sometimes have trouble writing reviews of crime thrillers. I truly think they’re best experienced if people come into them knowing as little as possible. I know that others don’t share my opinion, and they often mention spoilers or other bits that can ruin a twist or surprise.

You won’t get that here.

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I will say that if you’ve read the past books in the series, you may feel a sense of déjà vu about this one. There’s good reason for it, but don’t for a second think that you will get a rehash of the earlier book.

The author does a stellar job of making everything old seem new again. Yes, there are familiar faces and events, but it doesn’t feel repetitive. The author uses Jenna’s personal growth as a starting point for how she deals with everything this time around.

This is also one of the more atmospheric stories of the series. I’m not sure if it’s because it is set around Halloween? That’s one of those things that can instantly put me in a spooky frame of mind – or at least be more open to the spookiness of what would otherwise be normal events.

As with past books as well, we get alternating points of view throughout. I really enjoy how the author manages to get into the mind of the villain – it gives insight to the motivations as well adding an extra layer of creepiness.

I can’t say it enough times: these stories never get old, and the author outdoes herself each time. As always, even though it can be read as a standalone, this one, in particular, would be best if you’ve read the previous books.

So, go out and grab them first! 😊

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Twitter: @DKHood_Author
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Author Bio:

D.K Hood is THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA TODAY, and Amazon Bestselling Author of The Kane and Alton Series. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Australian Crime Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime Australia.

D.K. lives very quietly with her husband enjoys her beautiful garden filled with birds and water dragons. The dogs and cats in her stories are reminiscent of her wonderful companions. Website: http://www.dkhood.com/

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Just Married (Modglin)-BoT-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

You know how sometimes a book seems familiar – like, you’ve read it before? But you know it’s not possible because it is a new release? And you have that feeling most of the way through the book until there is a twist that pulls the rug out from underneath you and then you realize that you haven’t read it before and everything you thought you recognized was totally wrong?

Yeah, this is one of those.

Let me preface the rest of this by saying that it might sound at times as if I didn’t like the book, but that’s not the case. Read the whole way through first.

I will stand by my thought that the first part of the book seemed run-of-the-mill in some places. Newly married couple takes a belated honeymoon to a secluded cabin. Spooky things occur. Things get weird.

I thought some of the dialogue in the first two thirds of the book often seemed stilted. There was a lot of repetition, and chapters often ended with an ominous thought that didn’t always seem to be followed through. It got a little bit annoying and there were times that I almost gave up.

But I know from past books that there is always more to this author’s stories. So, I kept at it.

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Sure enough, things take a total turn just over halfway through. Riddles are answered, more twists occur, and things go quite dark. And just when you think you’ve reached the depths of how twisted the story (and the relationship) is – well, let’s just say you haven’t.

There’s still more.

Right up to the very last page.

This isn’t the type of book that supports an analysis of the characters and whether they were likeable or not. I think it’s enough to say that both Grace and Ryan are damaged and have secrets that they’ve hidden from each other.

And boy, do those come back to bite them.

I suppose if you wanted to get really deep, you could say that it’s an example of like attracting like and there’s a bit of Stockholm Syndrome on both of their parts. But I don’t want to give too much away.

Read this book for the cheap thrills in the first half but stay for the dark twists in the second half. It’s a worthwhile ride.

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Author BioKiersten Modglin is an Amazon Top 30 bestselling author of award-winning psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers. Kiersten lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston Terriers: Cedric and Georgie. She is best known for her unpredictable suspense and her readers have dubbed her ‘The Queen of Twists.’ A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes super-fan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book.

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The Lily Garden (Josselsohn)-BoT-Fiction-Available Now

I’ve become a big fan of this author. Her stories have always had a calming effect on me.

I think it’s because the stories are simple and don’t take a lot of brainpower. There’s no criminal to catch, no psychological twist to figure out, no historical lesson to learn – just nice, easy plots that allow me to ride along with the characters’ experiences and enjoy them.

(That’s not to say that the other types of stories aren’t good as well, because I love those books. But everything in its own time and sometimes a break with something different is a good thing.)

In this case, we get the story of Caroline, and how she returns to a small town to help save a garden that was started by her mother many years prior.

I enjoyed the setup of this plotline. I think it was highly relatable in many ways. Caroline isn’t sure about her corporate job and often wonders if she holds the position because of her family connections.

It’s obvious that her heart is in another place, even as she doesn’t realize it herself. It takes a message from an old friend to make her realize where her priorities should be. It’s also a good lesson for her daughter, Lee, who is being groomed to be the heir apparent to the corporation.

Amazon link: https://bit.ly/39PgndH

Back in Lake Summers, Caroline finds herself again and also uncovers a family secret. It’s a good story, told in an approachable and interesting way. And, as with other books set in small towns, there is a literal townful of local characters.

I will say that in some ways, I actually liked the secondary characters better than Caroline. It’s not that she was unlikeable, but people like Maxine and Gull seemed to be much more fleshed out. Maybe because they were in their element in town already? I’m not sure.

I also liked Aaron. I definitely would have loved to read his papers, because they sounded interesting. I’m not sure that I bought the relationship between Caroline and Aaron, though. It didn’t seem very full or complete.

And the secret (as mentioned in the blurb) is revealed very late in the book – almost as if it was an afterthought. This was a shame because the build-up was pretty well-done, and I expected it to take a bigger part of the story.

As it was, the last part seemed rushed. After an easy-going story that moved along, sort of like a stream trickling through, the revelation and wrap-up felt like it had hit rapids. It was bumpier and fast-moving – and didn’t feel as natural as the rest of the story.

But in spite of that, I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it for a simple, relaxing beach read.

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Twitter: @BarbaraJoss

Author bio:

Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning writer who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her novels include The Bluebell Girls, The Lilac House, The Last Dreamer, and her newest release, The Lily Garden. She has published hundreds of articles about family, home and relationships in national and regional publications, and also teaches novel writing at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.  She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her indefatigable shih-poo! 

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How Much Wine Will Fix My Broken Heart? (Bailey)-BoT-

I have loved each book in this series a little bit more than the last one, but I will admit to looking forward to the stories about Grace (and Lucy) the most.

From the moment that it was introduced that Grace had adopted two little girls from Vietnam, I knew that no matter what else her story contained, that I would be able to relate to her. And this review is going to be very personal for a particular reason.

Disclosure time:

My husband and I adopted our son from Ethiopia. He had just turned four when we brought him home. (Our son, not my husband 😊)

We had to go through adoptive parent training, which was different from Grace’s experience. But we learned a lot, including what it meant to be a “conspicuous family.” And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like – when the child does not match the ethnicity of the parents.

We have been fortunate enough to have lived in places where people accept us and where we rarely get a second look. In fact, we often keep a low profile at soccer matches because we think it’s funny to hear what other people say about our son when they think nobody is around to hear it.

Side note – it’s usually about how good he is (which is very cool). There was one time a coach walked right by us to ask our son where his parents were. The look on the coach’s face was priceless.

But I digress.

Anyway, I knew that Grace’s conspicuous family would feel familiar, and boy did it. We have had the “real family/real parents” comment thrown at us, as well as the “all countries of a region are the same” sentiment that Carrie exhibits when discussing the PTA fundraiser.

And, like Grace, I firmly put the mom in place with a few comments – when what I really wanted to do was punch her in the face. I imagine Grace to be the same way. I don’t have any sisters to help me out though.

But that’s why I was looking forward to her. Even that tenuous connection made me feel like I understood her better than the others. For that reason, I think I was able to also fit other aspects of her story into my own.

Example: my husband is still alive (thank goodness!) but as I read this book, he was in Spain with our son (soccer tournament – go figure). So, in a strange way, I could kind of understand Grace’s feeling of loss.

Tom sounds like he would have been a lot like my husband. A prankster, looking for the fun aspect of things, teasing and trying to make jokes when things got too serious. That all sounded familiar as well.

But mostly it was about the kids. That connected me to her character in a way I don’t think has ever happened before. Just about every thought Grace had about Maya and Cleo and her mothering them could have been picked from my brain.

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Now, as to the book itself, it’s another great entry in the saga of the Callaghan sisters. They all make appearances and at this point, it’s like visiting with family you haven’t seen in a while.

I thoroughly enjoy how the author allows the sisters to continue their stories in natural time throughout the other’s stories. It adds realism and keeps the interest in the family. I mean, it’s really difficult to not like all of them, even as they are each very different.

The quick wit and sharp writing that I’ve come to expect from this author is here in abundance. Grace’s inner thoughts are especially funny, and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

What I liked most about this book, however, is that the author treated death and the toll it takes on those left behind with respect, but also with humor. Grief can take many forms, and everyone deals with it differently.

Whether it is reading a (questionably inappropriate) poem at a memorial or helping an old friend through an (oddly appropriate) interview at a school, Tom’s friends were reflective of the person he was. I loved getting to know him that way.

I also loved that Grace and Tom weren’t perfect. They weren’t a star-crossed, tragic, “meant to be” people. They just…were.

And I think the author showed great courage in how she chose to complete the story. In a sense, Grace’s trajectory was quite different from that of the sisters in previous books.

As Grace was using everything she had learned from people to move forward with her life, the hint of her future was very welcome at the end. I really hope we get a bit more of her in Lucy’s story.

Speaking of, after a drunken encounter on a historic ship (and an ensuing conversation with a child about mermaid features) I really cannot wait for her story!

Here’s where you can read my reviews of the other sisters’ stories: Meg, Emma, and Beth.

Twitter: mrsbaileywrites
Instagram: kristenbaileywrites
Facebook: kristenbaileywrites.

Author Bio:

Mother-of-four, gin-drinker, binge-watcher, receipt hoarder, enthusiastic but terrible cook. Kristen also writes. She has had short fiction published in several publications including Mslexia & Riptide. Her first two novels, Souper Mum and Second Helpings were published in 2016. In 2019, she was long listed in the Comedy Women in Print Prize and has since joined the Bookouture family. She writes women’s fiction and she hopes her novels have fresh and funny things to say about modern life, love and family.

You can find out more about her at her website: www.kristenbaileywrites.com.

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His Other Woman (Voss)-BoT-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

I was left with extremely mixed feelings about this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two-thirds of it.

The author took a unique premise and ran with it. The concept of a loved one going missing while on a trip and the worry that ensues is something that just about everyone can relate to.

I liked how the author balanced between Alanda trying to get through life wondering what was happening with Liam trying to understand his new life.

As always, I don’t want to say too much to give away plot points, so it’s going to get a little bit cagey from here on.

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I did not care for Katya. I felt sorry for her situation with her Uncle Otto, and there were some truly heartfelt moments as she dealt with all of that. Those were very well written and poignant.

However, once things changed within her…situation…I think she showed just how young and selfish she was. I did not like her choices. I thought that they erased everything that I originally felt about her, as her character was on display, and it wasn’t pretty.

In a way, the same could be said for Alanda. I saw what her “twist” was going to be a mile off, so that was not a surprise to me in any way. It seemed contrived, but in an odd way, it also seemed natural, because it would stand to reason somebody could get carried away with the slightest hint of attention and affection.

The last third of the book seemed like the author didn’t exactly know which way to go, so a lot was thrown out there. I suppose it was supposed to show that even what might seem clear cut isn’t necessarily so.

Once again, Katya is done no favors and ended up being unlikeable overall in my eyes. I was glad to be rid of her.

The book does a decent job of answering the question of whether or not people deserve second (or third) chances. And if they do – are those chances worth it?

Sometimes people do need to experience heartbreak and hardship in order to realize what matters the most. That came across loud and clear.

I did like how the author didn’t necessarily wrap everything up in a neat little bow. Life isn’t like that. There was a hint of a promise of something regrowing, but it wasn’t all sunshine and unicorns.

So, to sum up: the first two-thirds were great, and the last third was questionable. But overall, it was a stark look at the futures we make for ourselves and there was a healthy dose of realism throughout.

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Twitter: @LouiseVoss1
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Author Bio:
Over her twenty-year writing career, Louise Voss has published books via pretty much every publishing model there is, from deals with major traditional publishing houses (Transworld and HarperCollins), to digital (Thomas & Mercer and Bookouture) and self-publishing. In 2011, she and co-author Mark Edwards were the first UK indie-published authors to hit the No.1 spot on Amazon UK. Louise has written thirteen novels in total, seven solo and six co-written, across psychological thrillers, police procedurals, and contemporary fiction. 

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The Evidence (Slater)-BoT-Psychological Thriller-Available Now

What a roller coaster of a read this one was!

From the opening podcast transcript to the closing thoughts on the bonds between a mother and her child, the author did a fantastic job of keeping the tension ratcheted through a compelling narrative.

At first, I didn’t know what to make of Esme. She seemed high-strung and very much like a helicopter parent. Some of her early reactions to co-workers and her son made me question her stability.

However, I could also see how her demeanor was vital to the other characters’ motivations.

That sentence makes sense in the context of the book.

I never really got a bead on Michelle at all. There were only a handful of scenes with her “in person” before other events occurred. After that, everything came from Esme’s point of view. This made it a little difficult to understand why Michelle did what she did.

Yep, speaking in riddles to avoid spoilers. That’s what you’ll get here.

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I did like how Justine’s actions were questionable. Was she looking to sabotage Esme because of Esme’s control of pretty much everything? Or was she actually trying to help Esme? Justine’s role in everything was explained quite satisfactorily.

Owen was a real piece of work – but once I “met” his mom, Brooke, I realized that there was no other way that he could have been. I did not see that whole plot thread coming at all, and that was a real jaw-dropper!

I did guess something about Simone early on, but as I mentioned, the author did a fantastic job of throwing just enough red herrings and twists in that I wasn’t sure if I was right or not until close to the end.

What I think I enjoyed most about the book was how Esme’s podcasts of interviews with Simone actually mirrored what Esme was experiencing in real life – and Esme only caught glimpses of it herself.

It’s difficult to see situations for what they really are when you’re smack dab in the middle of them. It sometimes takes outside perspective to shine a light on things.

I just now realized that Esme’s gut was telling her that all along. Wow…didn’t put that together while I was reading. Nicely done on that!

I also just realized that there more parallels between Esme/Zach, Brooke/Owen, and Simone/Andrew than I originally thought.

The power of a good book is that it plants enough seeds that you keep thinking and discovering aspects long after you have finished reading it.

I can’t say much more about this book without going into plot details, and I don’t want to do that, because it’s definitely one that you want to experience on your own, without spoilers.

If you are looking for a taut thriller that will keep you guessing, with some excellent observations on the lengths that mothers will go to in order to protect their sons, this should definitely be at the top of your list.  

Facebook: KimLSlaterAuthor
Twitter: @KimLSlater

Author Bio:

For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents but never made it off the slush pile. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating, she received five offers of representation from London literary agents which was, as Kim says, ‘a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’

Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottingham with her husband, Mac.

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