The Staffymum's Book Nook: Karen King

Published: 3rd April 2025

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

His ex is missing. Am I next?

Charlie takes my breath away from the moment we meet, when he is dropping his adorable little girls off at the school gates at the same time as I’m waving goodbye to my son. Being a single mother has been hard. So when his gorgeous green-blue eyes hold mine and his lips curve into a smile I wonder if this is my chance to find happiness and escape the secrets in my past.

Charlie and I connect on the deepest level – talking late into the night in the stunning home his mother Alice gave him. For a long time, it’s been me and my seven-year-old son Liam against the world but soon I’m falling for this handsome man. He promises to be honest with me and, in my gut, I trust him.

As he gives me a lift to work one morning, Charlie shares his heartbreak: his ex-wife found another man, abandoned her daughters and never looked back. That’s why Alice finds it so hard to accept me, the new woman in her precious son’s life. I hope I can win her over, and that she’ll never find out the truth about what I did…

Then I discover his ex-wife Lynn’s journal hidden away in his house with a sapphire ring and a silk scarf. My stomach twists as I sense something is very wrong.

When someone walks into the room behind me, my heart plummets and I turn to face them. I think something awful happened to Lynn. But who is telling the truth – my new boyfriend, his ex-wife or his mother? And can I escape with my precious son before it is too late?

A nail-biting page-turner with a gasp-out-loud reveal. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, K.L. Slater and Jackie Kabler.

MY THOUGHTS:

His ex is missing...am I next...?

A delightfully quick domestic suspense that had me glued from the very first page. Karen King very rarely disappoints and while this read was mostly predictable, it was thoroughly entertaining and a fun ride from start to finish.

Sarah is a single mum and has been for most of her son Liam's life. Her ex husband worked away on an oil rig in Dubai for the first three years after Liam's birth until he decided he wanted to move out there permanently. Sarah did not. She and Todd had drifted so far apart anyway she was best off as a single mum. Besides, she had her bestie Tasha to help pick up the slack and babysit when the need arose or just to kick back and enjoy some girlie time together.

After the dissolution of her marriage, Sarah took Liam to the Isle of Arran in Scotland to visit her mum and stepfather. There she met Dylan and threw caution to the wind and became involved. Until everything fell apart. She left Arran and began a new life back in the Midlands alongside Tasha. Life was good again.

And then she met Charlie. Stunningly sexy and drop dead gorgeous Charlie. With his two little girls, Mia and Daisy, the entire crowd of single mums at morning drop off were agog at this gorgeous male amidst all the eostrogen-flanked group. But Sarah wasn't interested in another relationship. And she meant it. But there was something about Charlie. They had a connection and they both felt it. When both Liam and Charlie's girls came down with chicken pox, Sarah offered to look after them all to save Charlie taking time off work. The mum gang at the school gates began to glare daggers at Sarah.

When Sarah's bathroom flooded into the downstairs kitchen making her little home unliveable, Charlie offered the most obvious solution. Move in with him and the girls - there was plenty of room with six bedrooms in their sprawling house. Sarah agreed on the proviso that it was only temporary until she could save the deposit for a new place.

And then things began to go horribly wrong. Little things at first. Until even bigger problems arose. Sarah was vaguely aware of his first wife, the girls' mother, having left them some 18 months before which left her questioning what really happened for a mother to readily abandon her children in favour of a man.

Of course the mother-in-law has to be factor, particularly as we are privy to some of her thoughts in the few chapters she has peppered throughout the story. It is clear that Alice is both obsessive and a little unhinged when it comes to her son and grandchildren. But is it enough to drive a mother and a new partner away? Other factors are crystal clear throughout also but remain elusive to Sarah and Charlie. But then, is Charlie to be trusted? I mean, he is a man and Sarah vowed never to entangle herself with a man again after the disaster that was Dylan. And then there is Dylan. Is he a real threat to her again?

The title of this book is "Don't Trust Him" but it's more about who can you trust? Definitely not the mother, Alice. But what about the others circling the tight-knit family? And what about Sarah's mother, whom she left on Arran without a word?

You will be kept guessing throughout though the story is fairly predictable despite second guessing everyone and everything. It is certainly an entertaining and fun-filled read. I was glad that the author didn't choose to pit Charlie against Sarah in a battle over his overbearing mother. Charlie is well aware of his mother's overt obsessiveness but thinks it harmless enough. But is that true? Or is he blind to what she is capable of? Or is there something else or someone else behind the strange happenings?

A definite recommended read. Easy enough to devour in a sitting, I enjoyed this quick read domestic suspense.

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #DontTrustHim in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Karen King is a multi-published author of both adult and children’s books. Currently published by Bookouture and Headline, Karen writes about the light and dark of relationships. Her eleventh romantic novel, The Spanish Wedding Disaster, has recently been published and her third psychological thriller The Mother In Law is out in July, with a fourth one in February 2023.

Karen has also had 120 children’s books, two young adult novels, and several short stories for women’s magazines published. Her thrillers The Perfect Stepmother and The Stranger in my Bed and her romantic novel The Cornish Hotel by the Sea became International Amazon bestsellers.

Karen is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors, the Crime Writers’ Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. She now lives in Spain where she loves to spend her non-writing time exploring the quaint local towns with her husband, Dave, when she isn’t sunbathing or swimming in the pool, that is.

Social Media Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

REVIEW: The Retreat by Karen King

The Retreat by Karen King

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Read: 6th October 2023

Published: 13th October 2023

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

The sunlight dances on the turquoise pool as I wait for our first guests. But my blood turns to ice when I recognise one of them as an old friend and a flood of guilt and fear comes rushing back. Is she here to ruin my life for a second time?

‘It’s been so long’, Saskia says as she hugs me. I plaster the smile back on my face, my hands shaking as I usher our guests into the traditional Spanish farmhouse we’ve spent years renovating to perfection. Saskia and I had been so close, until she betrayed me.

Now I’ve started a new life here in Spain. I met José and fell in love with his deep brown eyes, and together we opened our own retreat nestled high in the mountains. But José has no idea about the real me – I know he wouldn’t be able to look me in the eye if he ever found out that I have blood on my hands.

Then I discover our beautiful water fountain stained a deep red. My heart pounds with fear because it feels like a warning. And all my worst nightmares are confirmed when I find a note in my bedroom, revealing my terrible secret.

I was with Saskia all day, so I know it can’t be her. Which means that someone else at the retreat knows the truth about me – and they’re here for revenge.

But this perfect new life means everything to me. And I’ll do anything to protect it…

A totally unputdownable psychological thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and K.L. Slater.

MY THOUGHTS:

Relaxation...recovery...revenge...

When I saw other reviews were mixed and a couple DNF, I was surprised as Karen King has always been a winner for me with three out of four of her thrillers being 5 stars. But having trudged my way through this one, I can see why. It was quite drawn out and very much a slow burn. But the premise was intriguing so I stuck it out. OK, so it did get better but not till around 65% when things really started to pick up and by that stage I was flipping the pages at the speed of light. Before that, it was all yoga, breathing, nature walks and munching kale, olives and chia. Yeah, na.

Eva and Jose have spent the past two years renovating the villa he inherited from his grandmother after her death some five years before. Their dream was to open a wellness retreat...a place to relax, reflect and just unwind. Eva, who had her own baggage of secrets, was now a wellness coach practicing yoga, mindfulness and massage. Jose was a chef who grew his own vegetables and everything at this retreat came from what they grew themselves.

As an introductory special, they decide to offer six places at half price for a week's trial before opening to the public for summer. The bookings are snapped up right away and Eva is shocked to discover that her old college friend Saskia is among the guests. That wouldn't be so bad if Saskia didn't come with her own set of problems and the past she represented to Eva that she has tried so hard to put behind her. Saskia betrayed twice before...is she coming to do it again? Or is she just over thinking things?

Jose's cousin Carlos is also amongts the guests, whose families have been estranged since before they were born and no one revealing what the feud was about. But is Carlos jealous that their grandmother left the villa to him? Is that why he has come? To get his revenge for an inheritance he feels he should have also had a part in?

The remaining guests are two couples. One British - Nathan and Bianca. The other American - Sean and Adrienne. Both saw the opportunity for rest and relaxation under the sun. But are they all they appear to be?

Someone is out for revenge. But who? And who are they seeking revenge against? Eva and her secret past? Or Jose and his inheritance? Or is it something else altogether?

I had to shake my head at Eva who jumped up and down at Jose keeping secrets when she is doing the exact same thing! Pot...kettle...and all that. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, though Eva and Jose were kind of sweet. Most of the guests were pretty unlikeable. But then that's the nature of the beast.

There were plenty of twists and I liked the ending because comeuppance was had for the villain in the end, but it took a lot to get there. It wasn't King's best but it was still entertaining enough.

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheRetreat in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Social Media Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Saturday, 14 October 2023

EXTRACT: The Retreat by Karen King

The Retreat by Karen King

Genre: Psychological thriller, Suspense

Published: 13th October 2023

DESCRIPTION:

I was with Saskia all day, so I know it can’t be her. Which means that someone else at the retreat knows the truth about me – and they’re here for revenge.

But this perfect new life means everything to me. And I’ll do anything to protect it…

A totally unputdownable psychological thriller packed with jaw-dropping twists. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and K.L. Slater.

EXTRACT:

P R O L O G U E

I read the post again.

Relax. Reconnect. Renew in the peaceful setting of the Andalucian countryside. We’re offering six of our followers a 50% discount on a five-day stay at our Relaxation Retreat in April. Don’t delay, book today!

And there you are, your arms wrapped around each other, in front of a sprawling white villa nestling at the foot of the Andalucian mountains. A bubbling pot of anger burns inside me as I look at you, so happy, starting a whole new life when mine was so cruelly destroyed.

I’ve been following your page for a while now, curious to see how the renovations are coming on, eager for any nugget of information about you. Then I see your fantastic opening offer and I can’t resist this chance to see you, to find out if you carry any guilt for what you’ve taken from me. So I click on the Book Now button and fill in my details. I wonder if you will recognise my name and I realise I’m holding my breath as the booking goes through then let it out again as the receipt zaps into my inbox.

Three weeks and I’ll be there. Face to face with you.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

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PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Wednesday, 25 January 2023

REVIEW: The Family Reunion by Karen King

The Family Reunion by Karen King

Genre: Domestic thriller, Domestic drama, Family drama, Suspense

Read: 18th January 2023

Published: 23rd January 2023

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

She’s the daughter you never knew… But how far will she go to get the life she never had?

Today I’m hosting a family party. One that’s different to every celebration we’ve had before. Because I’ve invited my secret daughter to it.

I’ve never forgiven myself for abandoning her as a baby, with just a scrawled note tucked into her soft yellow blanket, saying her name was Hope.

As soon as she reached out, I knew I had to meet her. My family all seem ready to accept her with open arms, their forgiveness a blessing I barely deserve. And I dare to believe that maybe we are all going to have a happy ending after all.

So I try to put all those small, strange things that have been happening to me in recent weeks out of my mind. The missing money, my lost charm bracelet, the broken window, the fire…

But as the drinks are poured and everyone’s talking animatedly, I hear a knock at the door. And something in my heart tells me this family is about to be torn apart. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it…

An utterly gripping psychological suspense novel with a twist you’ll never see coming. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Mark Edwards and K.L. Slater.

MY THOUGHTS:

The daughter you never knew...wants the life she never had...

Well, that wasn't quite what I expected. THE FAMILY REUNION is my fourth read of Karen King's psychological thrillers and I wasn't disappointed. Although I would class this one as more in the domestic thriller genre, as it was specifically centred around the family and its extending tendrils. Throughout the entire story there is an undercurrent of something not quite right and it seems the answer is just staring us in the face...why can't anyone else see it? Or maybe they have...or maybe they haven't. But one thing is for sure...nothing is as it seems.

Mary hasn't always had the charmed life she's known with husband Paul of thirty eight years, having then been blessed with two children - Joanne and Jason respectively. Her childhood was one she lived in fear and shame, and grieving the loss of her own mother some years before. Maybe that is what drew her into the arms of 18 year old rebel-without-a-cause Robbie. He claimed to love her and that is exactly what she yearned for and thought she found in his arms and his bed. But when she realised she was pregnant and when she went to tell Robbie the news, she discovered something far worse. How utterly alone she found herself at just 15 years old forced to keep her secret (and the one she had witnessed) for forty five years.

And now her beloved husband Paul was gone. Joanne and Jason were grown with families, children and lives of her own. For forty five years, Mary had kept her shameful secret to herself. For fear of losing her husband's respect, she'd never told him or her children. But now, what did she have to lose? The time had come to find Hope, her first born.

As soon as Mary meets Cathy (as she is now called), she feels an instant bonding with her. She can see she has Robbie's dark looks and after a DNA test, Mary knows that she is without a doubt her long lost daughter. But how to make up for forty five years? This is where things get a little sticky.

At first Cathy wants to get to know Mary before meeting the rest of the family. Understandable, as meeting your mother for the first time would be a daunting experience...meeting the rest of her family even more so. But Mary is convinced that Joanne and Jason will love Cathy just has much as she does. But is Mary blinded by her guilt for abandoning her baby all those years ago that she is ready to believe anything? Because as soon as the siblings meet, it is clear that tensions are high. Are Joanne and Jason jealous with Cathy's arrival on the scene that she will now get a slice of what they believe is coming to them?

And then strange things begin to happen. Or had they always been there and no one really noticed because Mary lived alone in a sprawling six bedroom home she had no need for? It seems Mary has been somewhat forgetful lately - leaving keys in the fridge, turning the router off, leaving windows open - what is Mary was developing what she had always feared? What her mother had before she took her own life? Early onset dementia?

But it seems, though, that Mary isn't the only one who's been keeping secrets.

THE FAMILY REUNION begins off slowly with a gradual build as we get to know Mary and what has brought her to where she is now. It's not until about 25% into the story that things begin to get a little interesting, especially when the narrative changes, switching things up a little. The story unfolds through Mary, Alison and Cathy's perspectives throughout and it's interesting to get the insight into each of their minds and lives. It is interesting to note that we don't get Joanne's perspective - I wonder why that is? But each woman has a pivotal part to play in the unfolding of events. And despite its slow start, the story does pick up pace bringing everything to a stunning conclusion in the shocking epilogue.

Filled with secrets, lies and deceit throughout, THE FAMILY REUNION is one reunion you want to stay well away from...whilst sneakily turning the pages to find out what happens anyway. You just wouldn't want to be in their shoes! It has sibling rivalry abound! All three of them, I could have slapped them. They all behaved appallingly. Joanne and Jason were entitled and spoilt and, while they very probably were concerned for their mother's welfare, they were also looking at the bigger picture with themselves having a starring role.

So who is Cathy really? And what does she want?

What is Joanne and Jason's real problem with Cathy?

Is Mary truly blinkered by her own guilt that she can see no wrong in Cathy?

Which of them have secrets? Or do they all have them?

Do any of them know how to speak the truth?

Do any of them truly have Mary's best interests at heart?

And is Mary truly in danger?

There are so many questions...so many secrets...so many lies...who to believe? This is a story about family dynamics at its core and how they each behave in the face of change. First with the death of their husband and father, and then with the new arrival of a long lost daughter and sibling. There were plenty of twists and plenty of red herrings but nothing will prepare you for the shocking twist that you won't see coming at the end. Nicely played, Ms King.

Overall, THE FAMILY REUNION is a gripping tale of family drama and suspense that will keep you guessing as well as entertained until the brilliant end. There were a few questions I felt left unanswered (about who did what) in the end but overall still a great read.

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheFamilyReunion in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Social Media Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Wednesday, 3 August 2022

REVIEW: The Mother-in-Law by Karen King

The Mother in Law by Karen King

Genre: Domestic thriller, Psychological thriller

Read: 28th July 2022

Published: 29th July 2022

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Today is my wedding day. And I don’t know if I’ll make it out alive…

As I put my beautiful white wedding dress on, I try not to ignore my fears. I look in the mirror and feel more beautiful than I ever have before. I know marrying Sam is the right choice. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I reach for my bright yellow roses, and I force myself to be as cheerful and sunny as those flowers. I won’t dwell on everything that’s happened recently – ever since we agreed to stay with his parents for the weeks ahead of the wedding.

Glancing down at my sparkling engagement ring, I pretend to myself I can forget about the ‘accidents’ I keep having, that I can’t believe are coincidental. Or about his mother’s barbed comments, and the dark looks she gives me.

And, just for today, while I walk down the aisle towards the man of my dreams, while I say ‘I do’, I’ll try to put the secret I know about the family I am marrying into right out of my mind.

Even though that’s one secret that – if I was my soon-to-be mother-in-law – I might just kill to keep…

An absolutely thrilling and gripping psychological suspense novel, perfect for fans of Shalini Boland, Shari Lapena, and The Woman in the Window.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Karen King's tense domestic thriller THE MOTHER-IN-LAW.

"Too perfect to be true, a little voice whispered in my head. I ignored it. That was my first mistake."

The story opens with Dana all aglow in her beautiful wedding gown and her maid of honour beside her in her own lemon Grecian style dress. The day has finally arrived when all is said and done, Dana finally married Sam and becomes Mrs Corbett. Despite everything that has gone on before, why would Dana think that the day would run smoothly? After all, nothing has since their engagement was announced and she'd moved into Sam's suite of rooms in his parent's sprawling mansion in the Malvern Hills. But this was her day and she was determined NOT to let anything ruin it.

And everything did run smoothly...the ceremony, the service, the reception, the speeches, the meal...everything up until the happy couple cut the cake. Sam places her hand over his as they cut into the bottom layer of their three tiered cake and playfully fed each other a couple of crumbs and luscious icing. And then everything changed. Her world suddenly falls out of focus as she falls to floor, the voices yelling seemingly in the distance. The last thing Dana saw before she passed out was the triumphant gleam in her mother-in-law's eyes.

Rewind back to six months previously when, having just left her interview at Corbett and Sons Accountants, she meets Sam who had been chasing his favourite trilby hat which Dana had inevitably caught and returned to him. After a coffee, the pair exchanged numbers and before long began dating. Sam would text Dana 'good morning' and 'how was your day' each day and she was thrilled as she had never known such attention before. After a couple of months, Sam gets down on bended knee with a stunning sapphire and diamond ring and asks Dana to be his wife. "Yes! Yes! Please!" was her answer that the other patrons of the restaurant all clapped and cheered their congratulations.

And then it was time to meet his parents. "They'll love you" Sam assured her. But Dana wasn't so sure...particularly when she saw their house. Sam came from a very different world to her and she was sure his parents wanted more for him. But they were in love and not only were they engaged but they had both decided on a summer wedding...in just a few months time. His parents were stunned but accepting of their decision. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Too perfect to be true, a little voice whispered in my head. I ignored it. That was my first mistake."

The couple are adamant at wanting to buy a home together but when something happens to their impending purchase, Dana has no choice but to move in with Sam and his parents. And anyway, it will only be for a little while till find another place. But then little things begin to happen. Small things at first that Dana wondered if she had imagined them. Or was she just being silly? But then a few more concerning 'accidents' occurred. And yet, still Dana talked herself out of anything more than an accident or misunderstanding.

But one thing is more than clear. Sam's mother Evelyn is a dominating force who is controlling and would do anything to keep her son from leaving home. Wouldn't she? But as sweet as pie as she at first appeared, Evelyn was a force to be reckoned with. Particularly when she started bringing Tamara into everything. The unbridled conflicts between Dana and Evelyn, no matter how big or small, continue to rage although Sam is convinced his mother only means well. Dana is not so sure but doesn't want to come between Sam and his mother. Needless to say, whenever she does try to air her concerns, Sam dismisses them. No matter what happens, Dana just wants to marry Sam so she endures it all as she can see the end in sight when they will finally marry and move to their own house.

But if Dana thought it was going to be that easy, she was sadly mistaken. Gaslighting is prevalent in this wild thrill ride that both infuriated and had me glued to the pages until the end. Dana was a little annoying and very easy to allow others to walk over her but then I'm guilty of the same thing to keep the peace. If Dana is anything like me, she hates confrontation so her complacency and compliance would be to keep the peace.

Despite its title, you just know that THE MOTHER-IN-LAW was going to more than just another mother-in-law tale. It was going to be something deeper with twists to shock and leave you reeling. Evelyn was naturally unlikable, of course, she was penned that way. As was Tamara. But I had my suspicions elsewhere that I hadn't wanted to be true.

Compelling and addictive, THE MOTHER-IN-LAW is a dark and twisted tale as well as being an easy read that I devoured in a matter of hours. And I naturally loved the short snappy chapters that are always a winner for me as they keep the pace moving at a rapid speed.

While it may not have been as brilliant as her two previous thrillers "The Stranger in my Bed" and "The Perfect Stepmother", it was still a fantastic thrill ride worth 5 stars that I enjoyed every delicious minute of.

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheMotherInLaw in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Social Media Links:

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PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Tuesday, 22 June 2021

REVIEW: The Perfect Stepmother by Karen King

The Perfect Stepmother by Karen King

Genre: Psychological drama, Domestic drama, Suspense, Mystery

Read: 11th June 2021

Published: 17th June 2021

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

She seems too good to be true. And now she lives in your home…

Lily wants to be happy for her father when he tells her he’s getting married again. Even if it feels too soon after the death of Lily’s mother.

He’s madly in love with Maria. And he thinks she’s going to the perfect stepmother to Lily’s much-younger sister, Emma. And perhaps he’s right. Because no one seems to have a bad word to say about Maria.

It’s only Lily who can’t trust her. Who thinks no one is that perfect. Who notices no one had ever heard of Maria until exactly ten years before.

And then Emma goes missing…

A totally gripping and unmissable psychological suspense novel about dark family secrets, perfect for fans of Shalini Boland, Claire McGowan and Gone Girl.

MY REVIEW:

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Karen King's thrilling domestic drama THE PERFECT STEPMOTHER.

After having thoroughly enjoying Karen's debut psychological thriller "The Stranger in my Bed", I was excited at the prospect of her latest. But THE PERFECT STEPMOTHER is more than just a thriller - it is domestic drama built on secrets, lies and mistrust. It also examines how a person is defined by their past and how the choices made as a youth can haunt those for the rest of one's life. The story was not what I expected and while it holds the promise of a thriller, it is also a moving story that had me in tears by the end. With so many twists, the story leads to a surprising yet satisfying ending. And I enjoyed every minute of it.

The prologue opens with the disappearance of five year old Emma Metcalfe from her backyard. But it's not your usual "missing child" trope so don't be fooled by it. There is something far deeper at play beneath the surface. Something that will shock Emma's family to the core. But first we must go back to when it all began...seven months ago.

Lily always had a simple dream: to be as happy as her parents were. Always content in their suburban home, life was good for Gareth and Ruth Metcalfe and nothing phased them...not even when a surprise pregnancy resulted in their second child Emma, twenty years after daughter Lily. But their love story was tragically cut short when Ruth succumbed to breast cancer when Emma was just four. Sadly Emma doesn't remember a time when her mummy wasn't sick while Lily's memories go back further to the days they were happy.

Still grieving the loss of her mother, Lily is shocked to discover her father canoodling in a cafe with another woman, even moreso when he announces they are to marry barely a year after her mother's death. Believing her father to be going through the stages of grief and feeling lonely, Lily tries to convince her father to slow the speed of their relationship down. But no sooner has he made the announcement than Maria moves into the family home and the date of their wedding is set for the the following month. Lily is so enraged that her father could disregard the memory of her mother so quickly for the woman who had been her beautician until she died, she voices her concerns to boyfriend Seb who, at first, shares her doubts but accepts the fact that it's her dad's life and his happiness.

No one appears to be listening to Lily and her concerns about Maria, who appears to be perfect and can do no wrong. Her father and his new wife are so obviously in love and Emma adores her new stepmother. Despite her father's pleas, Lily cannot make peace with his decision and is sure that Maria has an agenda; that she has manipulated her father and wrangled her way into his life for the perfect husband, the perfect house and a ready-made family. But it's her over-protectiveness of Emma that makes Lily uncomfortable and soon Emma begins to display signs of a nervous child under Maria's care. And when she offers to take Emma for a sleepover, Maria curtails those plans with her own citing that she, Gareth and Emma need time to bond as a family. But Emma is her little sister! And yet little by little, Lily feels as if Maria is slowly shutting her out of her own family.

Unable to trust her new stepmother, Lily then makes a surprising discovery: there appears to be no trace of Maria beyond ten years ago when she set up her exclusive beauty salon. Why is that, she wonders? And why does Maria reveal nothing of her past? And whenever asked she is quick to change the subject? What is it that she is hiding? For she is hiding something, of that Lily is sure.

So one day when she is called to collect a sick Emma from school, she does a little snooping in Maria's things and comes across an old photo of a couple face down in a drawer. Are these Maria's parents? And if so, why keep their photo hidden away and not on display? She quickly snaps a photo on her phone and forgets about it...until the day it leads to an even bigger discovery. And the truth about Maria's past is finally revealed. But not before Emma disappears from her walled backyard whilst in the care of her stepmother...

Intriguing from the very beginning, the story unfolds through the eyes of Lily and Maria throughout. And although I enjoyed capturing both sides, I feel it removed the element of mystery of Maria a little, where the reader would be left questioning Maria's motives. On the surface, Maria appeared to be perfect. When she wasn't working in her salon, she was involved in various charities, taking part in fun runs to raise money and devoting one day a week to give free beauty treatments to cancer patients...which is how she met Lily's family. How could someone so perfect be hiding a guilty secret? Unless they were trying to atone for a mistake in their past? But no matter how perfect Maria seemed to be, Lily was sure she was hiding something and because of that she worried for her father and her little sister. There were times Lily appeared to obsess a little too much about Maria, but then had I been in her shoes I probably would have felt the same. After all, no one really knew anything about Maria as she was such a private person...the question is, why? Especially when innocent questions about her past were practically ignored and the subject changed. Then one would have reason to be suspicious.

But as the story unravelled, so did the mystery of Maria as the truth is gradually revealed. And although hints had been dropped throughout, the secret is a somewhat tragic tale that one can't help but shed a tear.

While secrets and lies feature heavily in this book, so too does mental illness (though not till towards the end). THE PERFECT STEPMOTHER is more than secrets, more than lies, more than deception...it is about regrets and redemption and moving forward. It is thrilling, it is touching and also a little bit sad. You cannot read this book without going through a whole range of emotions.

THE PERFECT STEPMOTHER is an intriguing story that is surprising and emotional...and certainly not what you would expect when beginning the book. It is a mix of psychological drama, domestic thrills, mystery and suspense...all with a surprising and clever end.

This is one of those books I cannot recommend highly enough. It's gripping and emotional and leaves you wanting more. THE PERFECT STEPMOTHER is a fantastic read that does not disappoint.

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ThePerfectStepmother in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Karen King is a multi-published bestselling author of fiction for both adults and children. She has also written several short stories for women's magazines.

Currently published by Bookouture and Headline. Karen has recently signed a two-book deal with Bookouture to write psychological thrillers. The first one will be out in November, and the second one in 2021. She is also contracted to write three romance novels for Headline, which will be out in 2021 and 2022

Social Media Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.

Sunday, 29 November 2020

REVIEW: The Stranger in my Bed by Karen King

The Stranger in my Bed by Karen King

Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic thriller, Suspense

Read: 23rd November 2020

Published: 23rd November 2020

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

‘We have a patient who has been involved in a serious accident. We believe he’s your husband.’

When Freya first met Phil, she thought he was the man of her dreams. He bought her roses every week, booked surprise trips to sun-soaked destinations, and showed her affection like she’d never experienced before. But over time the dream has become a violent nightmare. And now Freya is packing her bags, knowing it’s time she escaped their increasingly broken marriage.

But then Freya gets a visit from the police. Phil’s been in a horrific car crash and – as he comes around – it becomes clear that he remembers nothing since their blissful honeymoon two years before, back when their relationship was perfect. All he wants is to be happily married again.

Freya knows giving him another chance could be dangerous. But now he’s the one who needs her, it’s a chance to turn the tables, and to change the outcome of their relationship once and for all. After all, he will only know what she chooses to tell him…

But what really happened during those two years of marriage? And as they start over again, who is safe? And whose life is in danger?

Fans of The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors and Date Night, who are looking for a dark, gripping psychological suspense novel, will love The Stranger in My Bed.

MY REVIEW:

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Karen King's debut psychological thriller THE STRANGER IN MY BED.

WOW! What a thrill ride! I simply devoured this book in a matter of hours not knowing who was lying, who was telling the truth and who was bluffing. This one had me blinkered till not quite the end and - BAM! Everything fell into place and it all started to make sense. But holy moly...this is one addictive read!!

The story opens with an unidentified person watching the subject of their hate storm out of the house, unlock his car and drive off at speed. They follow him...watching, waiting...wanting to see the moment he realises the brakes on his car have failed and he can't stop. And then - BOOM! They watch as the lorry pulls out of a side road and smash into his car. And though they don't want anyone else to get hurt...they hope HE dies.

When Freya first met Phil, she thought he was the man of her dreams. He bought her different coloured roses to signify his love and showed her affection like she had never known before. Within a few months, they jet-setted to Barbados where they married and honeymooned and enjoyed the first two weeks of married bliss. Freya could not be happier.

But over time that dream became a violent nightmare. Their last row was over a holiday he surprised her with to Dubai, expecting her to drop everything and take the next week off. When Freya told him she was in the middle of a big presentation for a major client and couldn't leave now, Phil switched from loving husband to a raging monster in a matter of seconds. Accusing her of being a selfish cow who spoiled for a fight every time he tried to do something nice, of always pushing his buttons, before throwing the newly presented roses in the vase that had been a wedding present at her hitting the wall and smashing into pieces on impact. He then stormed out of the house, jumped in his car and sped away.

Freya knew now she had to get away. He was never going to change; he just became more unpredictable and more violent that she now feared for her safety. Packing her bags and stuffing them into the boot of her Ford Fiesta, she is about to leave their broken marriage when the police knock on her door. Phil has been involved in an horrific car accident and has been transported to hospital in a coma.

Now three days later, Freya sits at his bedside hoping and praying that he will wake up. She may not want to remain married to him but she doesn't want him dead. Her older sister Daisy has been a real support to her, sitting with her and driving her to the hospital. Although the sisters have never really been close, Freya doesn't know what she would have done without Daisy over the last few days. Then when Phil regains consciousness it soon becomes clear that he remembers nothing since their blissful honeymoon...two years ago. Is his amnesia real? Or is he faking it?

He senses Freya's reticence and is troubled by it but all he wants is to be happily married again. However, Freya knows that giving him another chance could be dangerous. But Phil needs her...she can't leave him now. Is it possible they can start over again? She has never confided in anyone about the abuse she has suffered at Phil's hands and thinks it's time to ask her sister for her thoughts. Daisy tells her that if Phil is indeed violent, she should not ever go back. But Freya can see the man she fell in love with. Maybe he is a changed man and the fact that he can no longer remember the horrible times in their marriage means that they can start again. Besides, he needs her just now. She can't just leave him when he is so vulnerable and has no idea why. But Daisy has her promise that at the first sign of violence she must leave.

Meanwhile, the police are investigating the car accident and have discovered that the brakes have been tampered with. Someone wanted Phil injured...or worse still, to die. But who?

When Phil comes home, the couple work at rebuilding their lives together...all the while Freya keeping an eye out for the return of his previous disturbing and abusive behaviour. But then strange things start happening. The back doors are found open one morning and Freya thinks the stress in trying to recall his forgotten memories has caused Phil to begin sleepwalking again. When they are found open again a few more times, Freya continues to put it down to sleepwalking...but Phil knows it isn't. Upon every occasion the doors have been found open, Phil has then found a note left for him in his study. Threatening notes saying "You will pay for what you did" and the like. But there is no sign of a break-in, which means someone has a key to their home. Feeling especially uneasy, he convinces Freya they should invest in a bolt for the doors...to stop him from opening them in the night.

So who is coming into their home at night? Watching them sleep? Leaving threatening notes? Is it the same person who sabotaged his brakes? If only he could remember, he might be able to recall any enemies.

However, not all is as it seems. Everything is smoke and mirrors and you start to wonder who is the abuser and who is the victim? What secrets are they trying to hide? As Phil begins to recover from his injuries is he also beginning to recover his lost memories? Or did he never lose them to begin with? As secrets start to come to light, the past comes back to haunt them leaving Freya with some major decisions to make. But has she left it too long?

My first thought as Freya gives her marriage a second chance is that she's deluded...but then I remember when I was in the same situation and I know that it is never as simple as that. She genuinely loves her husband and wants the man she married back and is hopeful that his amnesia will give them both that second chance. But what happens if and when Phil's memories start to return? What happens when she does something or says something he doesn't agree with? What happens when she sees that rage build in him again and another row ensues? What happens when that row becomes violent and he begins to blame her for his bursts of anger again? Can she excuse them as his frustration at his lost memories? Or will she see them for what they are? But by then will it be too late to leave him?

The cycle of abuse is the same in any language. They row, he accuses her of imagined slights, they row some more, he becomes violent, she cries, he apologises - usually with bouquets of roses - and she forgives him...again. And so it continues. Abuse comes in many forms and in Phil it is manipulative and coercive control that leaves Freya feeling that she is to blame for his temper. After all, she's the only one who does this to him...so he says.

BUT in an interesting twist, he has told Daisy that Freya was the abuser and HE was fearful of HER. Since he has no recollection of the past two years, he wonders could this actually be true? And so, Phil begins to keep things from Freya wondering if he can truly trust her. Or is that just an act?

Usually I can sense who is up to no good and who is may be doing what but THE STRANGER IN MY BED had me flummoxed. I couldn't trust either Freya or Phil as I honestly wasn't sure which one of them was telling the truth...or if they both were. I did tend to side with Freya, as a former domestic abuse victim myself, and found her to be more believable. But then it wouldn't be a psychological thriller if the possibilty of her actually being the abuser wasn't considered either...just to turn things on their head a little. In the end, I wasn't sure who to believe, although my spidey senses told me not to trust Phil. And then that had me questioning if his amnesia was real or not. It was a complete mind***!

Despite being a slow burn, I was hooked from the absolute beginning, as the story generated enough tension and suspense throughout to keep me engaged as I tried to nitpick my way through the debris of Freya and Phil's marriage. As I pondered the two mysteries within this story - the one surrounding the alleged abuse and that of the unidentified person who watched and waited until the right time to reveal themselves - I couldn't wait to see how the two stories would collide.

Told in the narratives of Freya and Phil initially and the sporadic inclusion of the mysterious watcher, we also get Daisy's perspective further down the track as THE STRANGER IN MY BED is tightly woven into a tangled web of secrets, lies and abuse. I had my suspicions throughout about a character or two which in part turned out to be correct. But I was still discombobulated about who was actually telling the truth. Many others have claimed there to be no real twist but final summation does give us a rather stunning reveal, which I found to be a clever twist.

When I turned the final page on my kindle I let out of sigh of WOW! What a book! I was left breathless throughout most of the book and by the time I read those final words...I was speechless.

The author may be knew to this genre but I believe she has perfected it well. Ditch the romance and keep churning out these thrillers. If THE STRANGER IN MY BED is anything to go by, Karen King has a promising future as a psychological thriller author. I look forward to seeing what she can WOW us with next!

I would like to thank #KarenKing, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheStrangerInMyBed in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Karen King is a multi-published bestselling author of fiction for both adults and children. She has also written several short stories for women's magazines.

Social Media Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Bookouture by following them on these social media accounts.