Goldilocks and the three bears — we all remember this story, don't we? Well if you don't, then read this book. It will give you a glimpse of what could have happened, of what would have happened, had Goldilocks been devious and psychotic! Gotcha!!

My second book by Sheryl Browne, and I was extremely apprehensive about reading it as I wasn't overly fond of reading her previous one. But this was something different. The book pulled me in from the initial chapters. The theme of the book was in the title so that was no surprise, but the story pleasantly was!

Alicia, Justin, Sophie and Luke = a happy family

A road traffic accident

Alicia, Justin, and Sophie = a devastated family (a.k.a. the 3 bears)

Enter Paul (a.k.a. Goldilocks) and events start rigmaroling out of control.

Like Goldilocks who tries everything in the bears' house, Goldilocks Paul here wants the Mama Bear, Alicia. The parts of the affair keep bobbing up and down throughout the story till it reaches a climax.

Loved Papa Bear Justin, he was everything a man should be. Losing his children 6 month old Luke to death, with 15 year old Sophie running away, and the affair being revealed, he was the man at the end of his tether who still persevered for his family. Mama Bear Alicia was often confused and helpless, and wringing her hands instead of talking and confronting. Baby Bear Sophie ran away from the truth and found herself in a luxurious maze not knowing the doors of the maze were shut fast.

Then there were the niggles, they wormed their way in. The story dragged at some parts, the scenes felt repetitive, the characters other than Justin were not likable. AND IT WAS NOT A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER WITH A SHOCKING TWIST!! Praise the skies, it wasn't as this was a family drama sitting on the verge of insanity but never really dipping into that insanity.

Sheryl Browne kept me mighty entertained with her book, and I would love to see where she goes next.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bookouture, and this is my honest and unbiased opinion

I knew this was going to revolving around an affair, but I didn't know that right from the start it would be about the affair. However, this story is not just about the affair, there are many events that happen in a short amount of time, and it keeps the story very interesting and is pertinent to the affair. It's easy to point fingers at Alicia for the affair, but by the end you understand what truly happened and I had lots of sympathy towards the character.

However, as much as I like the premise, I found that sometimes it was dragging, and there was a lot of repetition. I think the story could have been shortened, but overall it was a I did enjoy this book !

I absolutely loved the ending ! Some people might not like it because it will keep you guessing, but I found it was a perfect ending and unexpected ending.

Well if this book doesn't show you the reason it is bad to keep secrets then nothing will. I have to be quite honest and say that this book was not quite what I was expecting. Less domestic noir than a domestic drama, it had both the mix of tension and emotion which had me hooked from the very first page. It was a one afternoon kind of read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. If that's the right word at least.

From the start we are introduced to Alicia and Justin, a couple who appear to be having a few new issues in their otherwise perfect marriage. Issues pertaining to jealousy but of who and what we have yet to learn. Justin is a Doctor, tired and weary, Alicia a Social Worker. They have two children, teenager Sophie, and baby Lucas. Their world should be perfect. And it is until one fateful event changes everything.

Now I have never known a domestic thriller to elicit such emotion as this one did in the opening few chapters. What happens there is shocking and Sheryl Browne has captured the raw emotion of loss so perfectly that it brought a tear to my eye as I read it. What this segment leads to is a world of deceit, to lives littered with secrets of a sometimes shocking nature and ones which will push the protagonists beyond a point they ever thought they would cross.

I really liked the way in which the author created the characters in this book. My utmost sympathy was for Justin who was clearly innocent in all that happened but was pushed as far as any person could be. His reactions to what happened were believable and almost expected, but there was just something about the character which made me like him. Alicia was another character who I did warm to but there was something there, some secret which made her not entirely trustworthy. How this plays out in the actual story you will need to read to find out.

The story is told from several points of view, mainly Justin and Alicia, but also occasionally Sophie. She is a typical teenager trying hard to be an adult, but ultimately affected by all that happens in the book. There are moments I just wanted to grab and shake her and tell her to be more aware but her story rang true to both her age and her circumstance. 

The story does not necessarily take you by surprise - most of what happens, the deceit and the controlling behaviour - is played out clearly on each page. But there are still some moments to throw you, occasions where the characters take you by surprise and their actions will have you gripped. Because of this, I found myself invested in the story and, if I am honest, the ending did surprise me, perhaps leaving a small smile of satisfaction on my face.

If you are looking for a twisted domestic drama with secrets and lies at its core and where nothing is as it appears to be then this could be the book for you.

Sheryl Browne is well known for delivering edge of the seat stories and The Affair is no exception. Justin and Alicia Cole are a happily married couple with a fifteen year old daughter (Sophie) and a six month old son (Lucas). As the family reels from a devastating RTA, the return from Dubai of Paul Bradley - an old work colleague of Alicia’s - lead Justin to question exactly why he always seems to be around. Has something gone on in the past between him and Alicia he knows nothing about?
Soon suspicion and doubt begin to worm their way into the marriage of two people trying to cope on a day to day basis after experiencing an unthinkable tragedy. We’ve become used to Sheryl’s twists and turns, of putting her main characters into the most unbelievably stressful situations from which as a reader, you can’t see any way out of. For the amount of physical and mental pain Justin experienced he more than earned his hero title. With Bradley’s arrival and the revelations he brings with him, plus danger from a source closer to home, I wondered how he could possibly come out of this holding onto his sanity. Bradley too is an absolute masterpiece. Maybe he’s not the psychopath we’ve been used to in Sheryl’s other books but he’s just as destructive.
Fabulous! Another well-deserved five star read.

You think you know someone well. Maybe it's time to think again ...

I already have read some books by this author and that is a sign that I absolutely love what she puts on paper.
Apart from messing with your head (which I totally adore as long as it's in a book lol) she has a truely wonderful way of describing emotions that bring tears to your eyes and break your heart. You so want to jump into the book and step in.
It's an enthralling story that keeps your attention all the way through with an interesting twist to add even more spice.
So, dear Sheryl, I am looking forward to your next book.

Thank you Sheryl Browne, Bookourture and Netgalley.

I am really getting hooked on psychological thrillers. This book did not disappoint.

One lie that tears a family apart. Alicia has kept a deep dark secret from her husband Jason. After an unfortunate accident, life spins out of control.

I highly recommend.

This was my first novel by Sheryl Browne and she really reeled me into this family drama that pulled on my heart strings.  The story revolves around Alicia, her husband, Justin, teen-age daughter, Sophie and infant son Lucas.

The first few chapters had me hooked as my emotions were soaring.  As the story moves on and suspicions surface, I had some strong opinions about some of the characters. The domino effect of how lies hurt other people snowballs quickly. This is evident in Alicia's web of deceit that is affecting not only her, but her family. The past has come forward and made a sticky mess. I found myself questioning motives and eager to find out what would happen next. I'm not going into the plot for fear of spoilers, but this read was a very emotional one for me.

A tale of how one lie can take over your life and blur the lines of reality. How far is too far? This story tells how devastating an affair can be and how lying about it can come back to haunt you.  I found myself rooting for the family and there is some light suspenseful moments.  I would characterize this one as a family drama with emotional moments and much to think about.  I thought the end was very satisfying.

I found myself questioning motives and eager to find out what would happen next.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* As with Browne's previous novel, 'The Babysitter', her latest offering, 'The Affair' is full of twists and turns that I did not see coming. The protagonist, Alicia has a dark secret in her past that she does not want anyone to know. However, the tragic death of her youngest child and an encounter with a man from her past force everything out in the open. When her remaining child, Sophie goes missing, Alicia must do all that she can to find her and keep her safe. A fast-paced and enjoyable read that kept me guessing until the end.

Thank you again Net Galley and Bookouture for an early release of The Affair. It had a lot going on in the beginning of the book, I didn’t know what to expect but I’m so glad I stayed with it. A quick read and worth every page.

This is the first book by Sheryl Browne that I have read, I found it to be a well written, easy read which I finished over two days. It definitely got me thinking. An enjoyable book, perfect summer easy read, although a little slow paced in the middle, the twist at the end made up for it!

Absolutely brilliant, loved everything about this book, especially the short chapters relating to the different people and I have nothing negative to say about this book. An exciting and gripping page turner, I cannot fault the skill of this writer and can recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.

Sheryl Browne is a new author to me but I will definitely be reading more from her, well done Sheryl I absolutely loved it.

This book had me hooked at the start but I did find it a bit slow moving as the story progressed and I was tempted to flick through the pages .

The message protrayed beautifully in the book is that telling lies always has consequences. Although you may think your secrets are safe they usually have a way of being found out no matter how many years have passed.

This novel centres round Justin a doctor, and his wife Alicia who live with their older daughter Sophie and newborn son Lucas Life is trundling along when Alicia’s world is rocked by the unexpected appearance of someone from her past.

A devastating car accident follows which results in Lucas’s death. This makes things worse for the family and suddenly everything seems to be falling apart.

Justin finds out his wife has had an affair. Can her forgive her? Is Sophie and Lucas his biological children?

Alicia is full of regret and guilt. Can she save her marriage? Is all this mess her fault? Does she deserve to be unhappy after all the lies she has told? Will her family ever forgive her?

Sophie is struggling with everything which has happened, Is she the person she thought she was? Is Justin her dad?

With Sophie’s disappearance, we are left wondering did she run away of her own accord .

I did finish the book and was pleased I continued as I was so rooting for Justin and his family. An affair has a profound affect not only on the people involved but their families as well and this was protrayed beautifully in the book. Overall this book shows the struggles and strengths of a family pushed to near breaking point.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this great book.

I have to admit I don't think I've ever cried at a psychological thriller before but cry I did with this one. The start of this book is so powerful and emotional that I was an absolute wreck. You will understand when you read it for yourself but I can't say anything about the why as to do so would be a bit of a spoiler to say the least. The story does turn though into a different direction becoming more tense and dark.

There is a small cast of characters in this book of which some have you changing your mind in how you think about them. The story itself flicks mainly between Alicia and her husband Justin with a scattering of a couple of other characters. This seemed to give the story an added edge as you get to see things from a few different point of views which allowed you get more into that characters head and gave you better understanding.

This is another author who I am ashamed to say I have not read any of their previous work. I will be rectifying that after this book though. The Affair certainly held so many surprises making this an unputdownable read. I loved that I had no idea what the author had in store next for me. When you think you know how the story is going to go the author steers you in another direction so that I had to keep turning those pages to find out what was going to happen. 

The Affair is a great read that has left me desperate to read more books by the author. I have no doubt that fans of psychological thrillers are going to thoroughly enjoy this one.

I quite enjoyed this book as it was well written but I’m afraid half way though I just got a bit bored and I felt it was just plodding on till the end . No surprises or twists at the end but having said It was an ok read

The Affair by Sheryl Browne is good psychological thriller based around AliciaJustin and their daughter Sophie.They have a great family life until one day their lives begin to fall apart,after an accident an old boyfriend of Alicia's returns and is determined to wreck the family by any means possible.Alicia's past comes back to haunt her and the secrets and lies she has kept from her family start to tumble out,what follows is a good book which leaves you hoping that they all come through the turmoil intact as you learn just what Alicia went through years ago,a good read which for me just dragged a little in the middle but still a great book with a terrific ending ! 4 stars.bordering on 5 !!

The Affair by Sheryl Browne is described as a compelling and gripping psychological thriller but I’d say this one falls more into a suspenseful drama. The story has multiple points of view with the majority being Alicia, her husband and her teen daughter.

Along with a teenager the couple has a newborn and as the whole family heads out in the car a horrific crash occurs and they lose their son. As the funeral takes place an old colleague of Alisha’s shows and her husband becomes suspicious of the relationship.

Now of course the idea that a wife had an affair and had been lying about it would cause some major family drama and that is the center of the entire book. The suspense lies in the fact that when the daughter finds out she runs off and the couple cannot find her for days and days.

Last year I had read The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne and absolutely loved it and in a way I could use my same words from my review there with this book in the fact that the story to me was one that was fairly straightforward instead of full of shocking twists and turns. The difference really between me absolutely loving The Babysitter and coming away a bit meh with this one is that in the first it was a matter you just know things are going to ramp up more and more and with this it was just hashing out an affair which wasn’t as exciting. The daughter missing gave a slight bit of suspense but the action wasn’t quite as over the top. In the end it’s not a bad read I just know that I was way more engaged with the other and wanted a bit more.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I received a copy of this book through net galley.
A trilling read with an unexpected twist at the end,could not put the book down,a real page turner.
Characters true to life,but did not really understand Jessicas role in the story it was not too clear her association with one of the characters but otherwise a real good read.

If you enjoy Lifetime network movies you will love this book. It’s a very quick read.....finished it in one day. There was not much mystery here and it felt a little been there/done that. There was certainly no shocking twist at the end but it was an enjoyable summer read of a very lightweight mystery.

An enjoyable read with enough twists and turns to keep me entertained throughout.
It was a little far fetched at parts of the book but likeable nonetheless.

Great read!!! Justin (an A&E doctor) and Alicia(a social worker) are married with two children; Sophie (15) and Lucas (6 months). They seem to have a happy family, although there has been tragedy and there still are secrets. One, being that Alicia had an affair a while back with Paul (who could possibly be Sophie's biological father).
One day, Justin drives his family to work/school with Lucas, too. They were hit hard when another vehicle ran a red light. As a result, Lucas died.

Justin is mentally unsettled by all of this. He asks Jessica (Alicia's sister) on the day of Lucas' funeral, if Sophie is really HIS child. Unfortunately, Sophie hears this and reacts in a drastic manner. Meanwhile, Paul has been escorting Alicia to post-funeral events and to her home. After Sophie takes a runner, Justin, Alicia (who Justin is now not talking to) and Jessica search for Sophie.

Paul finds out where Sophie is, and charms her into thinking he is her "real" dad and she goes home with him. After awhile, Sophie realizes that Paul is a controlling person who has secrets of his own. (Is he also drugging Sophie?)

DI Taylor, the officer who always seems to be on the scene is there when Justin assaults Paul, assaults a stranger and whenever Justin becomes unhinged...

Eventually, Justin realizes that Allison has been blackmailed by Paul and also comes to the realization that Jessica wants to be with him (Justin). He does not want to be with Jessica. He wants his wife.

Things move quickly. Justin and Alicia both confront Jessica, find Sophie, and celebrate Sophie's 16th.

So you think all is well..... until DI Taylor calls again...


Wow! Just as you think everything is settled, it isn't!!! This book not to be missed! Recommend!!!

Many thanks to Bookouture and NeGalley for a quick read with a surprise ending!