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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Adele Parks always turns out a page-turning read and this book is no exception. I started off liking it very much, and thought the narrative balance between Daisy and her alcoholic husband Simon was well done.
Then, about a third of the way in, an event takes place after which everything changes and we are led down into a very dark place indeed, for both protagonists. I did guess very quickly what had actually happened during that key event and so the eventual 'big reveal' in that case wasn't much of a shock.
Daisy herself does come over as a bit dull and sometimes weak, but there were some characters in her friendship group that I did like and would have preferred to hear more about, such as perfect hostess and loyal pal Connie and amoral chancer with a heart of gold Lucy - those two were fascinating.
The last two-thirds of the book has too much plotting, to my mind - it's as if Parks threw every tragic and terrible thing she could possibly think up into the lives of the characters, so much so that I became quite dispassionate about it all. The end few pages was melodramatic and sensationalist enough to make me laugh out loud with disbelief - which I'm sure wasn't the effect intended. Sometimes, less is indeed more …
Still, it’s definitely a page-turner – but be prepared for the dark side!
Then, about a third of the way in, an event takes place after which everything changes and we are led down into a very dark place indeed, for both protagonists. I did guess very quickly what had actually happened during that key event and so the eventual 'big reveal' in that case wasn't much of a shock.
Daisy herself does come over as a bit dull and sometimes weak, but there were some characters in her friendship group that I did like and would have preferred to hear more about, such as perfect hostess and loyal pal Connie and amoral chancer with a heart of gold Lucy - those two were fascinating.
The last two-thirds of the book has too much plotting, to my mind - it's as if Parks threw every tragic and terrible thing she could possibly think up into the lives of the characters, so much so that I became quite dispassionate about it all. The end few pages was melodramatic and sensationalist enough to make me laugh out loud with disbelief - which I'm sure wasn't the effect intended. Sometimes, less is indeed more …
Still, it’s definitely a page-turner – but be prepared for the dark side!
Picked this up after a new book club I've joined had it listed as our September read. SO glad I did! First book by this author and I'll surely be back to for more!
Daisy and Simon are struggling... struggling to have another child, struggling with the weight addiction puts on their lives, and struggling to hold onto what used to be. After a terrible tragedy, Daisy finds herself facing some well-hidden secrets and the possibility that it may all come out, forcing her to decide how to move forward and who she can trust.
Highly recommended book that will draw you in and leave you guessing at every turn. Just when you think you've figured it out, Adele throws you another curve-ball... I loved the author's writing style and felt completely connected to these characters. I cried and struggled along with them in this thrilling story and can not wait to see what Adele shares next!
Daisy and Simon are struggling... struggling to have another child, struggling with the weight addiction puts on their lives, and struggling to hold onto what used to be. After a terrible tragedy, Daisy finds herself facing some well-hidden secrets and the possibility that it may all come out, forcing her to decide how to move forward and who she can trust.
Highly recommended book that will draw you in and leave you guessing at every turn. Just when you think you've figured it out, Adele throws you another curve-ball... I loved the author's writing style and felt completely connected to these characters. I cried and struggled along with them in this thrilling story and can not wait to see what Adele shares next!
I thought this was a very intriguing book. It starts out innocently enough with parents with one child want to have a second. Then the husband finds out he can’t father children so the daughter he loves is not his. Then the lies start coming and keep coming.
I enjoyed this book because of all the twists. Just when you think you know what happened, something else come out to prove you wrong.
I enjoyed this book because of all the twists. Just when you think you know what happened, something else come out to prove you wrong.
Thanks for netgalley for the chance to read this book.
This book is all about lies and how they can impact on relationships. Was a good book however I didn’t engage with the characters until I was about halfway through.
This book is all about lies and how they can impact on relationships. Was a good book however I didn’t engage with the characters until I was about halfway through.
I didn't find this one as interesting as I thought I would. It was so slow until getting over halfway through.
It felt like you just plodded through Daisy and Simon's shipwreck of a marriage until the worst thing that could happen did.
There were a few shocks in the last part of it.
It felt like you just plodded through Daisy and Simon's shipwreck of a marriage until the worst thing that could happen did.
There were a few shocks in the last part of it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I thought I had this one all figured out!! Those last few chapters literally had my heart beating all the way through!!! Sooo good! Best ending in a long time!!
I had this on my TBR for ages, again maybe it should have stayed there.
Great portrayal of alcholism but for me the story was a slow burn with some major twisty elements. The ending unfortunately just finished me off. I usually enjoy Adele Parks but this one didn't work for me at all.
Great portrayal of alcholism but for me the story was a slow burn with some major twisty elements. The ending unfortunately just finished me off. I usually enjoy Adele Parks but this one didn't work for me at all.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Firstly, I'd like to thank Netgalley and HQ for the eARC for an honest review. I found the audiobook on Libby (the library app) and have never listened to an audiobook so quickly! It only took me four days to get through. I have an hour and twenty minute daily commute when I'm working and even when I got home I would continue to listen. I have to mention that this book carries many trigger warnings and advise looking them up before reading.
This is a physiological domestic thriller. It follows a family of three, Daisy, Simon and Millie. It is dual POV from Daisy and Simon. Like the title suggests there are a huge amount of lies and secrets between the married couple. This book had a huge affect on me. I have never cried in horror before and this book made me feel so much. There are moments in this book that are horrifying and I was gripped. By the second half of this book I was rooting for this family to get through. There is a moment in the book that Parks literally made me doubt what I had read and convinced me of something when in reality what I thought at first was true. Just amazing writing!
The last hour of the book was immense and I was literally having to do the whole slow breathing exercises to get me through. The ending was exactly what I wanted to happen and it wasn't a happy ending because everything that these characters went through can't create a happy ending but it was a good ending. I look forward to reading more from Adele Parks and have Just My Luck on my TBR!
Amy x
This is a physiological domestic thriller. It follows a family of three, Daisy, Simon and Millie. It is dual POV from Daisy and Simon. Like the title suggests there are a huge amount of lies and secrets between the married couple. This book had a huge affect on me. I have never cried in horror before and this book made me feel so much. There are moments in this book that are horrifying and I was gripped. By the second half of this book I was rooting for this family to get through. There is a moment in the book that Parks literally made me doubt what I had read and convinced me of something when in reality what I thought at first was true. Just amazing writing!
The last hour of the book was immense and I was literally having to do the whole slow breathing exercises to get me through. The ending was exactly what I wanted to happen and it wasn't a happy ending because everything that these characters went through can't create a happy ending but it was a good ending. I look forward to reading more from Adele Parks and have Just My Luck on my TBR!
Amy x