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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this one right from the start. I thought it kept its pace straight through. It maybe was a tad to drawn out, I almost felt like zoning out at around the 80% mark but at the same time was really invested in the story and anticipating how it was going to end so it still kept me hooked.
As a mother this one just shut different. Ok so I couldn’t directly relate but I could absolutely put myself in their shoes and just couldn’t imagine being told 2 years later that your baby is not yours. What would anyone do in that situation!? It really made for an intriguing read.
There were a couple things that prevented me from giving it a 5 star but still a really enjoyable, binge-able read!
As a mother this one just shut different. Ok so I couldn’t directly relate but I could absolutely put myself in their shoes and just couldn’t imagine being told 2 years later that your baby is not yours. What would anyone do in that situation!? It really made for an intriguing read.
There were a couple things that prevented me from giving it a 5 star but still a really enjoyable, binge-able read!
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Violence, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Medical content, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
that ending was ... definitely something
4.5 stars.
Playing Nice by JP Delaney is an absolutely riveting novel that is breathtakingly suspenseful.
Pete Riley is a devoted stay at home dad to two year old Theo. His partner Maddie Wilson works long hours at an advertising agency. Young Theo is full of energy and Pete has his hands full trying to convince him to be kinder to his nursery mates. Having completely recovered from the tumultuous early days and weeks of Theo's premature delivery, Pete and Maddie's world is upended when a stranger shows up and announces Theo is his child. Two premature babies were somehow switched at the NICU and Miles Lambert and his wife Lucy are raising Pete and Maddie's son David. Believing they can peacefully resolve this complicated situation, the two families begin spending time together. But Pete and Maddie are stunned when Miles takes extraordinary steps that could destroy the life they have created together. Will they be able to stop him before they lose everything?
Pete is a warm and loving dad who is very patient with his impulsive and active little boy. Although he never planned to give up his career for fatherhood, he is happy with their current arrangement. A former journalist with a newspaper, Pete is disappointed he has not managed to get his freelance career off the ground.
Pete and Maddie have very different personalities but she is content to let him make the decisions regarding their son. She loves Theo but she thrives on her high stress career. Maddie is not as trusting or even keeled as Pete, so she has a few reservations as they try to work out a compromise with Miles and Lucy. When Miles changes tactics, will she and Pete find a way to keep their family together?
With chapters alternating between Maddie and Pete's points of view, Playing Nice is a taut domestic thriller that is multi-layered and utterly compelling. The storyline is well-developed and rife with tension as Miles steadily insinuates himself into Theo's life. With pressure building as the story hurtles to an uncertain finish, JP Delaney masterfully brings this gripping story to an edge of the seat, stunning conclusion. A deliciously unpredictable novel that I loved and highly recommend.
Playing Nice by JP Delaney is an absolutely riveting novel that is breathtakingly suspenseful.
Pete Riley is a devoted stay at home dad to two year old Theo. His partner Maddie Wilson works long hours at an advertising agency. Young Theo is full of energy and Pete has his hands full trying to convince him to be kinder to his nursery mates. Having completely recovered from the tumultuous early days and weeks of Theo's premature delivery, Pete and Maddie's world is upended when a stranger shows up and announces Theo is his child. Two premature babies were somehow switched at the NICU and Miles Lambert and his wife Lucy are raising Pete and Maddie's son David. Believing they can peacefully resolve this complicated situation, the two families begin spending time together. But Pete and Maddie are stunned when Miles takes extraordinary steps that could destroy the life they have created together. Will they be able to stop him before they lose everything?
Pete is a warm and loving dad who is very patient with his impulsive and active little boy. Although he never planned to give up his career for fatherhood, he is happy with their current arrangement. A former journalist with a newspaper, Pete is disappointed he has not managed to get his freelance career off the ground.
Pete and Maddie have very different personalities but she is content to let him make the decisions regarding their son. She loves Theo but she thrives on her high stress career. Maddie is not as trusting or even keeled as Pete, so she has a few reservations as they try to work out a compromise with Miles and Lucy. When Miles changes tactics, will she and Pete find a way to keep their family together?
With chapters alternating between Maddie and Pete's points of view, Playing Nice is a taut domestic thriller that is multi-layered and utterly compelling. The storyline is well-developed and rife with tension as Miles steadily insinuates himself into Theo's life. With pressure building as the story hurtles to an uncertain finish, JP Delaney masterfully brings this gripping story to an edge of the seat, stunning conclusion. A deliciously unpredictable novel that I loved and highly recommend.
Wow. Very rarely does a book make my chest feel tight the entire time while reading. And for once I’m satisfied with the ending.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A pretty good drama about 2 babies switched at birth, and the pain, heartache, etc that follows when trying to figure out what to do especially when one of the 4 parents involved is a pyschpath.
It wasn’t as good as The Girl Before and I have ordered all of her other books so I hope that the other ones are a little better!
It's official; JP Delaney is amazing.
I like how all thrillers boil down to "TRUST NO ONE! THEY'RE ALL OUT TO GET YA!". This story has one of the most outlandish plots -switched babies- and two sets of seemingly civilized parents. Or are they?
They're not as perfect as they seem. There are secrets and hidden plots and loads of tension. It's not scary, per se, but it'll wrench your little trusting heart out. I don't even have kids and I was so stressed to the point I had to put the book down several times.
It has a little plot twist at the very end, I've noticed that's always the case in all of Delaney's books.
I like how all thrillers boil down to "TRUST NO ONE! THEY'RE ALL OUT TO GET YA!". This story has one of the most outlandish plots -switched babies- and two sets of seemingly civilized parents. Or are they?
They're not as perfect as they seem. There are secrets and hidden plots and loads of tension. It's not scary, per se, but it'll wrench your little trusting heart out. I don't even have kids and I was so stressed to the point I had to put the book down several times.
It has a little plot twist at the very end, I've noticed that's always the case in all of Delaney's books.