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stephreads_'s review
5.0
This book is an incredible debut. SO gripping and packed full of drama from start to finish. I don’t think I’ve read a book before that has been all go the whole way through. When I’d finished reading I just felt speechless and I definitely had one of those book hangovers. One of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. It came with so many twists and unexpected turns.
It was written brilliantly. It definitely was a powerful and haunting story, it is something that will stay with you for a long time. Gary did a brilliant job of telling the story from all sides - Andrew, Chris and Linda, being able to see the heartbreak and stress from all characters. It just felt so real, from the incident, the police investigation and the series of events that followed. So compelling and heartbreaking.
Gary has some great knowledge and knew how to bring the book to life, having worked in the police environment you can clearly see the passion and hard work that has gone into the book. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. For anyone who enjoys reading a Crime / Thriller then this book is definitely for you. I cannot recommend this enough.
It was written brilliantly. It definitely was a powerful and haunting story, it is something that will stay with you for a long time. Gary did a brilliant job of telling the story from all sides - Andrew, Chris and Linda, being able to see the heartbreak and stress from all characters. It just felt so real, from the incident, the police investigation and the series of events that followed. So compelling and heartbreaking.
Gary has some great knowledge and knew how to bring the book to life, having worked in the police environment you can clearly see the passion and hard work that has gone into the book. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. For anyone who enjoys reading a Crime / Thriller then this book is definitely for you. I cannot recommend this enough.
laurenm00's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book, it was a real page turner, very fast paced indeed…something happened in every chapter! It was thought provoking, sad and chilling, definitely an emotional but gripping read. Overall I thought this was a great debut novel !! It’s also been picked up by a production company, so that’s exciting! I definitely recommend this one
thatbookmom's review
4.0
An innocent day at the beach leaves a child lost at sea, which starts an intense wave of events that will have you turning the pages to find out more. This is a haunting story, told from multiple POVs where you can really feel the anger, grief and betrayal from each of the characters. And whatever you do, DON'T skip the Happily Ever After epilogue.
Impressive debut novel - 3.75⭐
Thank you to the author for sending me s digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Impressive debut novel - 3.75⭐
Thank you to the author for sending me s digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
bookishpip's review
5.0
CW: death of family members, suicide, substance abuse, mental health struggles
I read this book after kindly being gifted it by the author (thank you!). Upon reading it, two things became abundantly clear:
1. This book is possibly one of the best books I’ve read all year, and
2. Someone needs to get this man a book deal immediately. (And whilst you’re at it, this would make a cracking 3-part BBC or Netflix drama. Or film.) Honestly, I was shocked to read in the acknowledgements that this was a self-publication. It’s a work of art.
It’s about two couples who are friends and with children of the same age, who are also close friends. One day, a tragic accident puts both children at risk, and one of the parents is forced to make an impossible decision that has devastating consequences.
This book is a rollercoaster. It grabs you right from the prologue and hooks you in the entire way. It’s twisty and tense and heartbreaking (and that isn’t something to take lightly here; I mean it’s completely earth shattering at points). The characters are expertly crafted, complex and relatable. Their relatability really reaches deep into the reader’s heart, soul and psyche. It made me question the lengths I would go to in protecting my loved ones.
It’s a book of terrible decisions and terrible aftershocks. And more aftershocks. And another after that. Seriously, I am reeling.
All in all, this was not at all what I was expecting, and was the best kind of surprise. If you enjoy thrillers, crime, or any kind of suspenseful books, you NEED to read this.
I read this book after kindly being gifted it by the author (thank you!). Upon reading it, two things became abundantly clear:
1. This book is possibly one of the best books I’ve read all year, and
2. Someone needs to get this man a book deal immediately. (And whilst you’re at it, this would make a cracking 3-part BBC or Netflix drama. Or film.) Honestly, I was shocked to read in the acknowledgements that this was a self-publication. It’s a work of art.
It’s about two couples who are friends and with children of the same age, who are also close friends. One day, a tragic accident puts both children at risk, and one of the parents is forced to make an impossible decision that has devastating consequences.
This book is a rollercoaster. It grabs you right from the prologue and hooks you in the entire way. It’s twisty and tense and heartbreaking (and that isn’t something to take lightly here; I mean it’s completely earth shattering at points). The characters are expertly crafted, complex and relatable. Their relatability really reaches deep into the reader’s heart, soul and psyche. It made me question the lengths I would go to in protecting my loved ones.
It’s a book of terrible decisions and terrible aftershocks. And more aftershocks. And another after that. Seriously, I am reeling.
All in all, this was not at all what I was expecting, and was the best kind of surprise. If you enjoy thrillers, crime, or any kind of suspenseful books, you NEED to read this.
leighs_little_library's review
5.0
WOW. This book....this was a tough read. There are lots of trigger warnings I should mention, mainly child death and suicide.
You read this story for multiple different POV from an array of characters, which I think adds to the emotion and atmosphere of the words on the pages.
Andrew is put in the worst possible situation, where he has to choose between saving his own daughter or the son of his friend. The consequences and events that follow are heart breaking and tragic.
Gary writes this story so well, keeping the pace of the book, willing you to keep reading. I have to admit I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes at a few points and I audibly gasped at the end!
As a parent, this has to be one of the hardest books I've read. "Enjoyed" is not the right word for how I felt about this book. I don't think you can "enjoy" a book with this subject matter but it is a book that I would definitely recommend.
My only criticism is that the very last chapter wasn't needed. It would have ended perfect with the OMG moment.
One of my favourite reads of the year!
You read this story for multiple different POV from an array of characters, which I think adds to the emotion and atmosphere of the words on the pages.
Andrew is put in the worst possible situation, where he has to choose between saving his own daughter or the son of his friend. The consequences and events that follow are heart breaking and tragic.
Gary writes this story so well, keeping the pace of the book, willing you to keep reading. I have to admit I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes at a few points and I audibly gasped at the end!
As a parent, this has to be one of the hardest books I've read. "Enjoyed" is not the right word for how I felt about this book. I don't think you can "enjoy" a book with this subject matter but it is a book that I would definitely recommend.
My only criticism is that the very last chapter wasn't needed. It would have ended perfect with the OMG moment.
One of my favourite reads of the year!
intonewrealms's review
4.0
Andrew had a traumatic experience in the sea as a child so he refuses to get near it nowadays. Unfortunately, he lives nearby it and his daughter Maria and her best friend Joe are always clamouring to go in. One day while he and his wife Sophie are looking after the kids his worst nightmare comes true and Andrew is pursued by police officers determined to learn the truth, which they don't believe is the same thing he has told them.
You can tell that the author has been a police officer because we spend a lot of time in their perspectives and see the way they work in a lot more detailed depth than a lot of other crime novels, which made it a lot more captivating to me than most of those. I enjoyed the multitude of perspectives, especially at the beginning when we saw different views on the morning of the tragedy. I would have liked to see more perspectives from the wives later on in the novel as they are both having really difficult times and I think could add another dimension to the story, but I did like how the couples seemed to take turns supporting each other when each of them was in a worse mental position. I would have liked to see a few more remembrances of the couples when they were friends to show the jump from trust to horror and hate, but I did sympathise with each of them. Overall a thrilling pageturner that I would definitely recommend.
You can tell that the author has been a police officer because we spend a lot of time in their perspectives and see the way they work in a lot more detailed depth than a lot of other crime novels, which made it a lot more captivating to me than most of those. I enjoyed the multitude of perspectives, especially at the beginning when we saw different views on the morning of the tragedy. I would have liked to see more perspectives from the wives later on in the novel as they are both having really difficult times and I think could add another dimension to the story, but I did like how the couples seemed to take turns supporting each other when each of them was in a worse mental position. I would have liked to see a few more remembrances of the couples when they were friends to show the jump from trust to horror and hate, but I did sympathise with each of them. Overall a thrilling pageturner that I would definitely recommend.
szintiareadsbooks's review
5.0
I would like to thank the author for sending me a digital copy of his book. This is an amazingly well written debut novel and to be honest I can't wait to read more from him.
A stormy day on the beach changed everything for two families. Andrew made the decision to protect and save his family, while Chris loses everything he ever had. The events after that day will break the readers heart to pieces..
It was a page turner for me, and I just couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book for everyone who loves crime fiction. The characters were si real and it was easy to feel what they felt..I had tears in my eyes when I read some of the chapters. I loved the twists in the story and I didn't see the ending coming...when I finished it it felt like I wanted to read more and more. It was heartbreaking, gripping, emotional and 100% addictive. I can't recomment this book enough! LOVED IT!
A stormy day on the beach changed everything for two families. Andrew made the decision to protect and save his family, while Chris loses everything he ever had. The events after that day will break the readers heart to pieces..
It was a page turner for me, and I just couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book for everyone who loves crime fiction. The characters were si real and it was easy to feel what they felt..I had tears in my eyes when I read some of the chapters. I loved the twists in the story and I didn't see the ending coming...when I finished it it felt like I wanted to read more and more. It was heartbreaking, gripping, emotional and 100% addictive. I can't recomment this book enough! LOVED IT!
bookber's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
This book is such a fab debut!
Following multiple POVS, A Parent Apart explores the consequences of a father's actions during a crisis, and how it affects the involved parties and the wider community.
The incident this book centres on is so interesting as it isn't clear-cut legally or morally, so I loved reading from all the different character's POVs as I could empathise with all of them.
It's very clear that the author is from a UK policing background. I loved how this book delved deep into the police's role in an incident like this, and most importantly the need to safeguard everyone involved, which I don't see talked about in other police procedural books.
And lastly, the twists and turns were so shocking! I didn't expect to be as shook as I was, especially at the ending!! Loved it and I can't wait to see what Gary Wright does next.
Following multiple POVS, A Parent Apart explores the consequences of a father's actions during a crisis, and how it affects the involved parties and the wider community.
The incident this book centres on is so interesting as it isn't clear-cut legally or morally, so I loved reading from all the different character's POVs as I could empathise with all of them.
It's very clear that the author is from a UK policing background. I loved how this book delved deep into the police's role in an incident like this, and most importantly the need to safeguard everyone involved, which I don't see talked about in other police procedural books.
And lastly, the twists and turns were so shocking! I didn't expect to be as shook as I was, especially at the ending!! Loved it and I can't wait to see what Gary Wright does next.
abbies_books24's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cintianemeth's review
5.0
I would like to thank the author for sending me a digital copy of his book. This is an amazingly well written debut novel and to be honest I can't wait to read more from him.
A stormy day on the beach changed everything for two families. Andrew made the decision to protect and save his family, while Chris loses everything he ever had. The events after that day will break the readers heart to pieces..
It was a page turner for me, and I just couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book for everyone who loves crime fiction. The characters were si real and it was easy to feel what they felt..I had tears in my eyes when I read some of the chapters. I loved the twists in the story and I didn't see the ending coming...when I finished it it felt like I wanted to read more and more. It was heartbreaking, gripping, emotional and 100% addictive. I can't recomment this book enough! LOVED IT!
A stormy day on the beach changed everything for two families. Andrew made the decision to protect and save his family, while Chris loses everything he ever had. The events after that day will break the readers heart to pieces..
It was a page turner for me, and I just couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book for everyone who loves crime fiction. The characters were si real and it was easy to feel what they felt..I had tears in my eyes when I read some of the chapters. I loved the twists in the story and I didn't see the ending coming...when I finished it it felt like I wanted to read more and more. It was heartbreaking, gripping, emotional and 100% addictive. I can't recomment this book enough! LOVED IT!