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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Imagine your a parent of a young child and one day someone shows up on your doorstep to tell you that your child isn’t your child, but theirs? That would strike a multitude of emotions into anyone’s heart. And that’s exactly how this book starts. The Riley family finds out that their son, Theo, isn’t theirs and they meet the family of those who do have their real son.
What begins as an amicable agreement to keep the children where they are, but have the families interact on a regular basis to get to know their own biological children soon turns into a battle of custody, and no secrets are safe. In fact, it might be believed that one of the children isn’t safe, either, with everything that comes into light. But Pete and Maddie, despite some questionable things of their past, are indeed good people and fight with all they have to keep their son, and maybe gain their biological son as well.
Although I thought the first thirty percent of this book was a little slow, it was still intriguing and kept me hooked. I just got impatient for the dirt to start flying and before the halfway point, I got my wish. The story was so interesting, even the background story of Pete and Maddie being at the hospital with their son and how the boys could have possibly gotten switched. Everything that comes to light are things you might or might not expect, not just with them, but with the other family as well. You can definitely feel the tensity rising as you turn the page. I read the last sixty percent of this book in one sitting because I couldn’t stop reading!
All in all, this book was fantastic. Another way I would describe this is as Switched At Birth with a thriller twist. This was a topic that interested me greatly and I’m glad that my expectations for this book were met because there was a very good premise here. I highly recommend it!
What begins as an amicable agreement to keep the children where they are, but have the families interact on a regular basis to get to know their own biological children soon turns into a battle of custody, and no secrets are safe. In fact, it might be believed that one of the children isn’t safe, either, with everything that comes into light. But Pete and Maddie, despite some questionable things of their past, are indeed good people and fight with all they have to keep their son, and maybe gain their biological son as well.
Although I thought the first thirty percent of this book was a little slow, it was still intriguing and kept me hooked. I just got impatient for the dirt to start flying and before the halfway point, I got my wish. The story was so interesting, even the background story of Pete and Maddie being at the hospital with their son and how the boys could have possibly gotten switched. Everything that comes to light are things you might or might not expect, not just with them, but with the other family as well. You can definitely feel the tensity rising as you turn the page. I read the last sixty percent of this book in one sitting because I couldn’t stop reading!
All in all, this book was fantastic. Another way I would describe this is as Switched At Birth with a thriller twist. This was a topic that interested me greatly and I’m glad that my expectations for this book were met because there was a very good premise here. I highly recommend it!
I spent most of this book rushing through because I wanted to know what happened next. I spent the other part of my time avoiding reading this book because I didn’t want anything to happen next . The ending was rushed and a little unrealistic. But the plot gave food for thought.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Pete Riley works at home as a freelance journalist and takes care of two-year-old Theo while his partner Maddie works outside the home at an advertising agency. Their lives aren’t perfect, but they love their son. Then one day, Miles Lambert appears at the door and makes a claim regarding their son Theo that turns their lives upside down. Will Pete and Maddie be able to work something out with Miles and his wife Lucy or will they lose everything that matters to them?
This story is told from alternating points of view - Pete and Maddie. We get to know each character better by seeing things from their separate points of view, as well as learn about Miles and Lucy through Pete and Maddie’s experiences. Maddie and Pete each have secrets they’re keeping from each other, but the clear villain in this book quickly becomes evident and that person is vile. It is hard to find a redeeming quality in this person who proves it isn’t only toddlers who can’t “play nice”. It was sometimes hard to read all that Maddie and Pete go through as the bad things in their lives start to snowball.
“Playing Nice” is a fast-paced domestic thriller that is full of tension. Once I started reading it, I didn’t want to put it down until I knew how things would turn out. I don’t want to say anything that will ruin the suspense for other readers, but I really love the point in the story in which Pete and Maddie decide to do whatever it takes to protect their family. Even when I thought the story was over, more secrets were revealed that took me by surprise and showed what a unique main character Maddie is. I loved this book and highly recommend it to domestic and psychological thriller fans. The book is one of my favorites of 2020.
I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
This story is told from alternating points of view - Pete and Maddie. We get to know each character better by seeing things from their separate points of view, as well as learn about Miles and Lucy through Pete and Maddie’s experiences. Maddie and Pete each have secrets they’re keeping from each other, but the clear villain in this book quickly becomes evident and that person is vile. It is hard to find a redeeming quality in this person who proves it isn’t only toddlers who can’t “play nice”. It was sometimes hard to read all that Maddie and Pete go through as the bad things in their lives start to snowball.
“Playing Nice” is a fast-paced domestic thriller that is full of tension. Once I started reading it, I didn’t want to put it down until I knew how things would turn out. I don’t want to say anything that will ruin the suspense for other readers, but I really love the point in the story in which Pete and Maddie decide to do whatever it takes to protect their family. Even when I thought the story was over, more secrets were revealed that took me by surprise and showed what a unique main character Maddie is. I loved this book and highly recommend it to domestic and psychological thriller fans. The book is one of my favorites of 2020.
I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What can I say about this book other than WOW! JP Delaney books never fail to shock and stun me and Playing Nice was no different. The storyline is clever and original and definitely keeps you guessing until the very last page. It is a twisty thriller. Just when you think that it can't get any worse you turn the page and bang! So good and I can't recommend it enough.
The nightmare begins one morning when Pete Riley answers the front door. Standing there is Miles Lambert and a private detective with news that will change his life forever. His son, Theo is not his biological son. Miles has proof that his son David and Theo were switched at the hospital almost 3 years ago. The 2 couples meet and decide that the best thing for the boys is to keep them as they are but for them to have part of both boys lives. All seems to be going well in the beginning, and then they decide to sue the hospital - and the real nightmare begins for Pete and his partner Maddie.
You will not believe what happens next, it will have you turning pages late into the night. Easily all the stars of this one
Thanks to Hachette Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
The nightmare begins one morning when Pete Riley answers the front door. Standing there is Miles Lambert and a private detective with news that will change his life forever. His son, Theo is not his biological son. Miles has proof that his son David and Theo were switched at the hospital almost 3 years ago. The 2 couples meet and decide that the best thing for the boys is to keep them as they are but for them to have part of both boys lives. All seems to be going well in the beginning, and then they decide to sue the hospital - and the real nightmare begins for Pete and his partner Maddie.
You will not believe what happens next, it will have you turning pages late into the night. Easily all the stars of this one
Thanks to Hachette Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Finished reading: July 24th 2020
"Psychopaths are like tone-deaf people at a concert, mocking those who cry at the beauty of the music as fools."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Quercus in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
I've been meaning to try JP Delaney's writing for a long time now, and even bought a physical copy of The Girl Before last year so I would finally do so... But somehow his titles have always slipped through the cracks so far. I was delighted when my request for his newest title Playing Nice was approved, because it ment that I now had the guarantee I would finally do so as I'm a sucker for sticking to deadlines... And I most definitely enjoyed my first experience with his writing. Well written, suspenseful, intense, shocking... Playing Nice is a more than solid psychological thriller.
The premise of this book is absolutely fascinating and without doubt the ultimate horror situation for new parents. Imagine not only having your child being born early and facing such difficulties, but then discovering two years later it isn't actually your child you've been caring for all this time? Babies switched at birth sounds like a Hollywood script, but sadly it still does happen in real life and it sounds terrifying. Especially if you have to deal with a person like Miles afterwards... It was fascinating to see both Pete and Maddie to react to the shocking news that Theo wasn't really their child, and seeing the resulting situation develop definitely had a lot of nail biting involved.
Playing Nice is psychological thriller at its best, where the suspense is build up slowly but steadily and the situation starts spinning out of control. That ominous feel is always present, and you keep wondering just how far things will go... Miles is the perfect villain and his character is very well developed. He is despicable of course, but his development and role in the plot really make this story. The story is told alternating between Pete and Maddie's POV, and we get to see the situation through both their eyes. Pete and Maddie's characters are both well developed too; they have their flaws, secrets and their development in general felt realistic. I wasn't sure if I actually liked them, or at least I wasn't really a fan of Maddie, but their situation is fascinating enough to keep you on your toes even if you are not able to connect to them fully.
What seems like an ordinary psychological thriller at first, soon turns into something a whole lot more intense after you realize the extent of the problems Pete and Maddie now face. Your inner alarm will sound straight away, and this will keep you on your toes as you keep reading and try to read the signs. When the situation starts spinning out of control, the level of intensity and suspense cranks up and there are quite a few plot twists bombs placed in convenient places. Playing Nice will go out with a bang as well, and if you enjoy the genre you will most likely enjoy your time with this one.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.