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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
They say there are two side to every story but in this care there are four. This books switches between the events of the present day and a summer where everything changed. It will keep you gripped to the very last word.
See more reviews on my blog, rhiareads.
Many thanks to netgalley & the publisher for providing me with this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Last year, I read THE GOOD GIRL by the same author and adored it, so when this popped up on netgalley, I was straight in to request it! I love Fiona Neill's writing. She has a way of telling a story that is non-linear, so you're actually never quite sure what happened or didn't, or actually quite what's happening now.
THE BETRAYALS follows the story of the breakdown of Nick and Rosie's marriage following his affair with her best friend Lisa, interspersed with their daughter's battle with OCD and Lisa's own battle with cancer. There's also a wonderful balance between the darker narrative and humour - especially scenes where Nick interacts with Lisa's "healer", Gregorio.
I really like that balance between seriousness and humour - and I also like the scientific parts of the book, because I'm quite interested in science and learning science-y things. Each character in this novel is their own character with their own narrative voice, and their own flaws. I really enjoyed this novel - proved, really, in that I read probably 80% of it in one sitting this evening!
Many thanks to netgalley & the publisher for providing me with this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Last year, I read THE GOOD GIRL by the same author and adored it, so when this popped up on netgalley, I was straight in to request it! I love Fiona Neill's writing. She has a way of telling a story that is non-linear, so you're actually never quite sure what happened or didn't, or actually quite what's happening now.
THE BETRAYALS follows the story of the breakdown of Nick and Rosie's marriage following his affair with her best friend Lisa, interspersed with their daughter's battle with OCD and Lisa's own battle with cancer. There's also a wonderful balance between the darker narrative and humour - especially scenes where Nick interacts with Lisa's "healer", Gregorio.
I really like that balance between seriousness and humour - and I also like the scientific parts of the book, because I'm quite interested in science and learning science-y things. Each character in this novel is their own character with their own narrative voice, and their own flaws. I really enjoyed this novel - proved, really, in that I read probably 80% of it in one sitting this evening!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone. Rating is a low C-.
I requested this book by the cover and jacket description. For some reason, I found this a very slow and boring read. Told in 4 voices, I must admit that I didn’t like any of the characters very much. This book tackles many issues...OCD (which was done very well), infidelity, divorce, bullying, cancer, modern dating, alcoholism. So many issues! I felt like there was nothing resolved at the end and it left me not caring about any of the characters.
I did like the descriptive writing style and would read this author again.
I requested this book by the cover and jacket description. For some reason, I found this a very slow and boring read. Told in 4 voices, I must admit that I didn’t like any of the characters very much. This book tackles many issues...OCD (which was done very well), infidelity, divorce, bullying, cancer, modern dating, alcoholism. So many issues! I felt like there was nothing resolved at the end and it left me not caring about any of the characters.
I did like the descriptive writing style and would read this author again.
Gave up on this when I realised it was a domestic drama as it's not my type of book.
A family drama told from four different points of view - Rosie, her husband Nick, and their two children Daisy and Max.
An event that occurred on a family holiday in Norfolk eight years before appears to have been the catalyst for a number of changes. However, the events of the holiday are remembered differently by the four family members - they all blame themselves in various ways, but what is the truth? Or, does the truth even matter?
This was an interesting, thought provoking read, though at times I found it hard to distinguish between the different narrators - I found Rosie and Nick quite similar, and was only able to recognise Daisy because of her OCD rituals. I would have liked a chapter from Lisa's perspective, but I'm not sure it would have done any good given how unreliable the other POVs were. Nick, in particular, I found hard to follow because he had a tendency to dripfeed information and I'd get confused about what happened versus what he said happened - I suppose that's the whole point, though - can everyone have their own truth? Can several truths exist? Does the truth even matter, or is it how we deal with our memories that's important?
Thanks for the publisher for granting me access to an early copy via Netgalley.
An event that occurred on a family holiday in Norfolk eight years before appears to have been the catalyst for a number of changes. However, the events of the holiday are remembered differently by the four family members - they all blame themselves in various ways, but what is the truth? Or, does the truth even matter?
This was an interesting, thought provoking read, though at times I found it hard to distinguish between the different narrators - I found Rosie and Nick quite similar, and was only able to recognise Daisy because of her OCD rituals. I would have liked a chapter from Lisa's perspective, but I'm not sure it would have done any good given how unreliable the other POVs were. Nick, in particular, I found hard to follow because he had a tendency to dripfeed information and I'd get confused about what happened versus what he said happened - I suppose that's the whole point, though - can everyone have their own truth? Can several truths exist? Does the truth even matter, or is it how we deal with our memories that's important?
Thanks for the publisher for granting me access to an early copy via Netgalley.
The first thing that drew me to this book was the front cover, something about it grabbed me so I read the synopsis. After that I had to request it and I thank Net Galley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first of Fiona Neill’s books that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I loved that the story was told from several POV’s and each chapter revealed a little bit more information, it kept me engaged throughout. Neill provides a fresh insight into the life of a modern day family, who has been torn apart by adultery and divorce, and although this is a work of fiction I know that for some this story will hold some truth.
I think my favourite character has got to be Max. As I got further through the book I felt he was the one overlooked by everyone but always seemed to be there to pick up the pieces. I think he was emotionally damaged more than Daisy in some ways.
This book gets 4*s from me as it provides its readers with family angst, drama, intrigue and a few twists along the way so if you haven’t read it yet then get yourself a copy. I shall definitely be checking out some of Neill’s other books for myself.
This is the first of Fiona Neill’s books that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I loved that the story was told from several POV’s and each chapter revealed a little bit more information, it kept me engaged throughout. Neill provides a fresh insight into the life of a modern day family, who has been torn apart by adultery and divorce, and although this is a work of fiction I know that for some this story will hold some truth.
I think my favourite character has got to be Max. As I got further through the book I felt he was the one overlooked by everyone but always seemed to be there to pick up the pieces. I think he was emotionally damaged more than Daisy in some ways.
This book gets 4*s from me as it provides its readers with family angst, drama, intrigue and a few twists along the way so if you haven’t read it yet then get yourself a copy. I shall definitely be checking out some of Neill’s other books for myself.
3.5. I loved Fiona Neill’s writing style and the extensive research she put into book, especially with regards to the portrayal of OCD. It was well put together but I kept waiting for something to happen and it didn’t come. Ending was a bit rushed IMO but still an enjoyable, although at times intense, read.