If you enjoy a good fast read where you know the ending pretty much from the start, this one is for you. I say that not as a criticism but because it's simply the case with most of this author's books. But that doesn't stop you from enjoying it along the way.

The story begins with the death of Lydia's husband, Adam. They are a wealthy and successful couple with two children and their own company founded by Lydia and her old friend, Ajay. Lydia and Adam were divorcing, but she's still sad over the loss of someone she once loved, and who was a good father to their children. She soon meets Patrick, a 'perfect match' on an online dating site. She knows it's soon to be dating, but she and Adam weren't happy for a long while and she feels she deserves this chance at happiness.

Her children and close family members believe she's being too impulsive, and of course Lydia pays them no mind as she agrees to marry him only 4 months after they meet. Predictably, her new relationship and everything else in her life soon go downhill, beginning with a deep suspicion that Ajay may have been involved in Adam's death. With her home life and business quickly spiraling downward, Lydia realizes too late that she may have put her trust in the wrong people.

I really wish this author would create a more believable and less naive female protagonist. For someone who built her business from the ground up, Lydia appears to completely lack common sense and reasoning. It takes her much too long to catch on and then all of the sudden she completely figures it all out and has a complete reversal on everything she's said and felt up until that point. Pretty weak climax that happens too quickly. I still enjoyed the story enough to see it through to the end, but it left much to be desired.
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This was a remarkable drama that I had a great time reading. The way the writer depicted the characters will strike a chord with many of the readers, and the story will draw everybody in. Highly recommend this novel.

Roses are Red .# Netgalley
I was reverted to this book from the first chapter it was medium paced just fitting for how it started. I am trying not to put any Spoilers into my review ........ following the death of her husband her friend signed her up to a dating agency. She stood outside the restaurant trying to decide if she should go in or not. Then eventually she
Did go in to say she was disappointed would be a under statement . Yet she almost felt sorry for him too. That’s it She told Cassie her best friend and Fiona who was became a friend of Cassey’s who in turn became her Lydia's friend too. When Lydia met patrick on internet dating she thought he was handsome charming everything she had been liking for eventually he asked her to marry him although her eldest daughter Mia was against it being a 15 yrs old teenager however things are not always as they seem. I brilliant book up until the last quarter. I had my suspicions well before them including a male colleague who owns half the business lots of twists and turns. Just a bit too predictable for my liking. Nothing actually surprised me at all. Regarding the ending. It for that reason I am marking it down by two stars. Although nothing was a surprise really at the end it was still a good read.

MY REVIEW

Adam Palmer is the finance director of Cracking Crafts, owned equally by his wife Lydia Palmer and Ajay Arya. Adam and Lydia’s marriage is on the verge of separation. One day Lydia reaches home early, and is shocked to see Adam with Marianne, Ajay’s wife. Next is the series of arguments and screaming between them. They decide to go on with divorce in a way that hurts Oliver and Mia least.

Before anything could happen, Adam is found dead in his own swimming pool. Police Investigation reveals that his death was due to electrocution and launches a murder investigation. Suspects of the Murder are Lydia and Ajay. Even after Months, investigation doesn’t reach any conclusion.

Lydia tries to move forward in her life with the help of her best friend Cassie, who pushes her for Internet Dating. After a bad experience with Rory Morrison, Lydia meets Patrick Grant. She instantly likes him. Patrick is a Management Consultant from Sussex who travels a lot for work. They meet a few times and soon they fall in love with each other. All this happens a little too quickly. Mia, daughter of Lydia is not happy with her mother’s affair with Patrick within months of her dad’s murder. Patrick claims that her sister Sandra is a cancer patient and to continue treatment he needs twenty five thousand pounds. Lydia lends him the money, but keeps getting suspicious about this. Patrick proposes Lydia and pushes for an early marriage. Initially Lydia is reluctant, worrying about the reaction of Mia, but agrees afterwards.

After Marriage, Lydia notices a change in Patrick. She feels he has become a bit less concerned about her. Soon, Patrick tells her that he has heard that on the day Adam was murdered, a neighbor saw Ajay’s car near the house. She becomes even more suspicious of Ajay, when he forces her to sell her share in Cracking Crafts. Late Night Silent calls by a stranger are troubling her. She senses something worse is about to happen. Finally, Patrick asks Lydia to end her daily struggles by having a discussion about Ajay with Marianne. But, Soon something shocking happens which just throws Lydia into an utter state of panic and shock.

WHAT I LIKED

"Time doesn’t seem to flow in a linear way when you’re navigating grief. Sometimes it feels as if I last saw Adam weeks ago; other times, it feels like last night."

The Plot of the story is simple yet interesting, focusing more on the emotions than mystery. The story is engaging. I loved the free flowing writing style, especially picturesque description of places, characters and relationships.



"To the south, the sea glistens alluringly in the distance; to the north, the vistas are even more extensive, across the Weald, with its green fields and hedgerows, patches of woodlands and the silvery river run snaking through fields to the faraway North Downs."

The characters are well written and realistic; especially Lydia’s character is one which I can relate to, the emotional turmoil and the distrust feelings she went through makes the reader feel sympathetic about her. The relationship between her and Mia has also been depicted beautifully throughout the story.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT

The Climax is mildly disappointing. With all the hints provided by the Miranda, I guessed the Adam’s killer correctly, although was surprised by the motive behind the murder.

OVERALL

It’s a gripping psychological thriller filled with the right mix of emotions with mystery, that keeps the reader on the edge most of the time.

Thoroughly enjoyable book. The characters were easy to identify with. Lydia thinks she has found a soul mate but life around her continued to fall apart since the death of her husband. Who in all of this can Lydia trust. The plot becomes apparent very early in the book and I got a little frustrated that the characters were so blind to what was going on. However there was a surprise at the end 💜

A good enjoyable book, I flew through it as the storyline wasn’t too complex, saying that I didn’t guess the ending!
Well written and fast paced I’ll definitely keep a eye out for the author again

Ms. Rijks has done it again and written a marvelously suspenseful novel that will keep you reading into the night. I read this in one day!
Lydia Palmer seemed to have an amazing life with a great crafting business, two wonderful children, a husband that helped with the business and a beautiful home and cars. What no one knows is that Lydia and Adam aren't in love anymore and Adam is having an affair with Lydia's best friend Marianne. After the affair is discovered and the two decide to divorce Lydia finds Adam dead at the bottom of their pool-later find out he was electrocuted but police don't know how it was done.
4 months later Lydia is cyber dating and meets the incredible Patrick Grant who seems to good to be true. Things move quickly and strange events seem to keep happening including the police looking into Marianne's husband and Lydia's business partner Ajay for the murder of Adam. Lydia and Patrick rush into a quick marriage after 4 months of dating and the suspense really picks up as it seems someone is "out to get Lydia" and she doesn't know who to trust. Lots of suspense, wondering of who is causing the problems and lots of family drama keep you entertained until the end.

Roses Are Red by Miranda Rijks is an absolutely gripping, heart-pounding read that I devoured in a matter of hours. This is the perfect book to lose yourself in if you are looking for a fun escape from a harsh reality, and don't we all find ourselves in that particular boat?

Lydia is a thriving businesswoman who is on the brink of divorcing her husband, Adam. When he dies unexpectedly, Lydia quickly finds herself opening up to the possibility of finding love again, and she meets the charming Patrick through an online dating site. But just as her relationship with her new love seems almost too good to be true, Lydia has the nagging sense that someone is out to destroy her happiness. Can she fully trust her instincts, and just how close to home is a potential saboteur?

This was a thrilling ride from the very start, and I was pulled into the narrative almost immediately. In my experience, this always bodes well for my overall enjoyment of a book. Miranda Rijks is at the top of her game, and I will continue to read anything that she delivers. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC.

Miranda Rijiks is just phenomenal. All her books have a high creep factor. And she really had the knack for writing creepy characters. Amazing xx

Brilliant book Pat4ick is every woman's dream but too good to be true. Although when reading it you think no hexwouldnt do that how wrong was I