Jodi is the cuckoo in Marissa's empty nest, shattering the shells of secrets and unsettling the fragile balance of her friendships and their relationships, Like people escaping to the Hamptons, this is a great piece of escapism.

Everything blows up when Jodi, young and pregnant, turns up in town looking for her baby's father. Marisa, Elly, Claire and Jodi all tell this domestic drama that has a twist or two. Nicely done.

This was a great mystery/thriller to add to my collection. Author Nicola Marsh is well known for the domestic thriller and this is no exception. When a young pregnant woman shows up on the doorstep, a small town will soon slip into chaos as secrets emerge and lies are unearthed. I read this book, quickly and regret letting it slip to the bottom of my TBR pile. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

The premise of the book is great and the author really delivers. Great read. Highly recommended. .

Marisa, Elly & Claire are three best friends from different backgrounds and each one is keeping secrets from the other . When a fourth person, Jodi , pregnant after a one night stand arrives in their midst all chaos ensues and their secrets come tumbling out one after the other .

The Scandal by Nicola March is told in 4 different POV’s , Marisa, Elly, Claire and Jodi. Though a well told story there was a lack of depth to the characters. The ending was a surprise and had a few twists that I was not expecting . Overall 3 1/2 stars for me

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

Thank you so much @Bookouture & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 25 July 2019)

SYNOPSIS | Marisa feels like something is missing from her life since her twin daughters left for college & coffee dates with her two best friends (Claire & Elly) might be the only thing holding her together. All three of them are keeping secrets though, and when a young pregnant girl unexpectedly shows up Marisa feels compelled to take her in.

WHAT I LIKED:
- short, snappy chapters

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- the story is supposed to be set in the Hamptons but British-English was used a lot instead of American-English (as a Brit living in America this really grated on me)
- predictable twists throughout
- repetitive phrases were used to constantly reinforce each of the 3 main characters backstories

If you want a book that has lots of twists and has you guessing till the very end then this is a book you should pick up, oh my goodness the emotions that fly from the characters as secrets are unraveled and truths learned. Come along and mix with the rich people of The Hamptons and meet Marisa (Ris), Claire and Elly friends who are there for each other.

Ris is a phycologist and has her friends Claire and Elly over once a month for garden club or wine and cheese and lots of talk between friends at Ris’s beautiful home in The Hamptons, Ris is married to a CEO and has everything that the privileged normally have or has she? Ris keeps secrets buried deep in her thoughts and since her twin daughters have moved a way things are starting to change and unravel.

Claire is a police officer and has not been herself for many weeks now and that is not like her at all and Ris is determined to help however she can, helping people is what makes Ris happy. Claire is keeping secrets and is about to tell her friends.

Elly is beautiful and glamourous and needs to be in control she works managing a medical practice, her secrets would blow the lid of their friendship if it ever came out but maybe the time is coming.
When a young single pregnant girl, Jodi arrives in town looking for the baby’s father this sets the cat among the pigeons and the lies and secrets begin to unravel in a dangerous way.

This book had me turning the pages to get to the end, my heart was racing at times the emotions so real, trying hard to guess who had done what to who and getting to know Ris, Claire and Elly and the reason they do what they do and why they have secrets that do eventually come out and play a big part in some things that happen. So many great characters and some not so nice characters in the story and Nicola Marsh has bought them to life so well.

This story is about friendships affairs and secrets that can destroy and one I do highly recommend.

This book I started last year when I first requested it on NetGalley but found I couldn’t get into it the time. So, as it still needed reviewing I thought I’d try it again and went in with fresh eyes.

I’m not saying it’s a bad book because it’s not. I enjoyed the storyline and plot but I couldn’t connect with the characters. I felt the storyline, although had some good twists, it was quite predictable. I like a thriller that keeps me guessing with plenty of suspects but for me this didn’t quite have the elements I love in a thriller.

What I did love was the location. It was set in The Hamptons in USA. It portrayed typical lifestyles of the rich and famous.

I’ve given it a solid three stars due to the authors writing style. I will read other books by the author but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

This had me hooked from the first few pages. An absorbing story, exploring the many secrets that the characters wish to keep hidden. Well written and hard to guess.

A very good read for which I would like to thank Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review. Scandal had all the ingredients for an exciting drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Based on a close female friendship, secrets , lies and murder with a bit of date rape thrown in for good measure this book is sure to hold any audience in full attention. I enjoyed its fast pace and recommend.

The Scandal is a clever and well plotted thriller that kept me guessing until the end! Lots of twists and turns and intriguing characters. Would be happy to read more from Nicola Marsh!

This book had a really great twists and turns, and a big plot twist in the last few pages that I definitely didn't see coming. It was really interesting to have these put-together upper-echelon women dealing with some of the seediest people in society (and sometimes, even married to them). This book gave off serious Big Little Lies vibes.

A brilliant summer read. Very much a grown up version of Big Little Lies. I absolutely loved this. Take it out in the sun and get caught up! 5/5.

Really enjoyed this one. Lots of twists and turns and unexpected plot twists. Easy to read and hard to put down.

This story is told from three differing perspectives: perfect wife and mother, Marisa, intriguing, Elly and dedicated police officer, Claire. All three have their own problems. There are lots of twists and turns in the book and everyone is a suspect in the scandal at some point.

Couldn't put it down! I changed my mind a few times about what had happened and thanks to the twist at the end, I was wrong every time. Very clever and hugely engaging.

First, let me thank netgalley and the publishers for approving my request for an early release of this book. All reviews of my netgalley books can be found on goodreads and youtube. Please be sure to check out the links attached.

This is the story of a scandal that has people talking when new family moves to town. Everyone has an opinion on what started this and who is to blame.

This is a first-time author for me. I enjoyed it although I did think that some of the characters could have been better explored. Still an enjoyable read with a good plot and the proverbial twists and turns. Recommended.

Riveting ! The story begins with the three friends getting together, each having their own secrets and issues. The narrative keeps you hooked and you have a feeling that more than one person, from those introduced in the story, are involved in something dangerous.

Marisa's life though glamorous from outside is damaged from within. The extent of the damage can be asserted completely in the end. But, somehow, I could sense that it wasn't going to end well for her. Jodi's entrance and subsequent death sent my alarm bells ringing.

Claire's story much more genuine. Real life problems and doubts creatic a havoc in her marriage, so much so, that her cop mind starts going overboard with suspicions. Within the three friends, she seemed to have a good head on her head.

Elly, to me, was the most twisted of the characters. I think I was let down because of this single character, What happened to her was terrible, but, she is a pathological liar and the explanation for her actions is such b*llshit. There are so many ways to achieve what she set out to achieve. Her actions make no sense to me, thereby, reducing the book's effect.

Overall, this story had so much potential. The suspense was good and I was intrigued to know who caused Jodie's death. But over time, it becomes easy to guess who are involved, the only thing that is revealed in the end, is the why. After a point, the story just pulls you in all directions, in an effort to throw doubts on all characters. I would have given a higher rating if Elly's explanation was not a part of the story. She could simply be having an affair with a married man, and not particularly targetted, as a part of her stupid plan. It would have added more credibility to her character. Right now, she is plain cra-cra.