Thanks to Netgalley, Agora Books and Cassondra Windwalker for this e-copy in return for my honest review. Such an usual and thought-provoking book. Definitely enjoyed it as it drew me in from the start. Fantastic premise and one that I would definitely recommend.

What a brilliant book. I read this in one sitting, eyes half closed until 4am, but I HAD to know how it ended!

This book is so raw. The topics hard hitting. Cassandra certainly doesn't shy away from writing in a shocking but interesting way. A way that hits you right between the temples and leaves your emotions spilling out. This book looks at the decisions we make in life and what effect that has on our destiny/life. Are the choices we make the only thing that effects what happens in our lives or is there something bigger that takes control of that? It also takes a close look at the issue of moral dilemmas/morality.

By writing Ella as an omniscient narrator, the questions regarding choice and morality were effortlessly interwoven into the story without disrupting the flow. It was such an unusual format/structure in contemporary fiction but I think it worked well.

An interesting, thought-provoking read, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an arc of this book.

If you could save your child's life would you make a deal with the devil? This Sliding Doors plot is a mesmerising account of one woman who makes the brave move to leave her abusive husband and take their three children to live a different, initially difficult but ultimately satisfying life. But then the unthinkable happens and the devil, in the guise of "Ella" offers Perdie a deal. When Perdie goes 'back' and this time stays with her abusive husband what she hasn't counted on is free will. This is a brilliant and really thought provoking read. I particularly enjoyed the use of the sarcastic, all-knowing Ella judiciously appearing throughout the narrative. Highly recommend.

Trigger warning for physical abuse.

I liked the concept for this book, but I didn't love the narration style - third person has never been a big hit for me. Conceptually, I understand all books aren't meant to be easy to read, but to see the children blame their mother for their father's physical abuse was really challenging to read and probably would've made this book difficult to enjoy even if I had otherwise liked it a lot.

“The devil is in the details”

OMG! Where to begin! Now I have finished sobbing into my tissues, I need to pull myself together and put into words just how much I enjoyed this book and how amazing it is!

Most importantly, I do recommend, that if you decide to read this book, which I very much hope that you will, you should take extra time to actually truly study each and every word of not only the core narrative and dialogue, but also the very thought provoking interjections by ‘Ellie’, giving yourself plenty of time to absorb and assimilate author Cassondra Windwalker’s amazingly descriptive powers with the written word. I promise you, the punch it packs will be more than worth it. Almost every sentence was memorable for me and I could have shared so many more wonderful quotes with you!

A powerful work of literary, poetical and lyrical fiction, all rolled into one relatively short book, compelling and original, which pushes the buttons for just about every human emotion, then turns each and every scenario on its head and walks away, leaving the reader to dissemble and rearrange their true feelings about the whole spectrum of events and their ensuing tragic consequences.

The writing itself, is intense, raw, energy draining, profoundly touching and totally absorbing. Its unique and unconventional style messed with my mind and emotions, whilst also physically leaving my guts in a tight knot of fear and trepidation.

The opening lines had me hooked, the storyline was sickeningly detailed, hugely poignant and engrossing almost to the point of being voyeuristic. The ending was always going to belong to ‘Ellie’, with either of Perdie’s options resulting in total heartbreak and the ruination of so many lives. A story not neatly packaged, but one which reflected the not so neatly packaged lives of its characters and the total devastation heaped upon them by their nemesis which went by the name of ‘Ellie’ – The Devil’s Advocate!

To say that the storyline is gripping, might be to downplay the terrifying truths of what it must be like to be a family subjected to domestic abuse and violence. However Cassondra highlights all too vividly, through the lives of Perdie, Tad, Hannah and Rachel, those feelings of total despair, devastation, futility and ‘aloneness’, which all too many face at the hands of an abusive family member. Whether to fight or flee, speak out or suffer in silence; differing levels of cruelty, but all too often resulting in the same tragic consequences. Made no easier for Perdie by having the Devil constantly on her shoulder, unseen yet whispering in her ear throughout, making her doubt the value and wisdom of her decisions and waiting for its opportunity to push her over the edge, knowing that there can only ever be one winner in this game, but plenty of heartbroken losers! There is a jaw dropping and totally unexpected twist to this story at about the 75% marker, which I never saw coming and have personally, never seen attempted by an author before. At first I just couldn’t see how everything was going to flow smoothly and still work out to some conclusion, however Cassondra triumphed yet again, leaving me in complete awe of her talents as a bold writer and creative storyteller of distinction. With Perdie’s broken voice ringing in my ears, I was left to decide which sacrifices she ultimately chooses to make and wishing that ‘Ellie’ wasn’t lying in wait for her, as she is for all of us, to take that one wrong decision which will have us turning into her deadly embrace, rather than denouncing her, leaving her to tread the solitary pathway to her next victim!

The cast of characters, all searching for a sense of belonging, definitely came alive on the pages, as each travelled on their own, visually descriptive and doomed journey to inevitable heartbreak. None of them were outstandingly enigmatic or memorable as victims, with maybe Perdie’s middle daughter, Rachel, having the most spunk and determination of them all to see wrongs righted, although that final ultimate sacrifice is never hers to make. And as you would expect, as the abuser, Matt, the self-professed victim of events not of his own making, made the most noise, wielding the sharpest tongue and the most deadly of fists and feet, in the full belief that his wife and children should be treated as nothing more than an extension of his own identity.

Perdie was perhaps the most constant of characters, always silently defending and protecting her children, whether soaking up Matt’s fury, or basking in the glow of Reilly’s love and adoration. Her final devotion to duty was never going to end well and perhaps in some perverse way, I found myself rooting for Reilly, a rock and safe haven, whose faith in Perdie and the children was unshakeable, total and final. If only Perdie’s faith in herself could have been so steadfast. I touch briefly on the character of Reilly, but to expand on his role in the story would be to give away too many spoilers, so you really do need to go into this part of the journey ‘blind’ and ready to embrace the short time of humanity, stability and levity with which Cassondra has so poignantly imbued the storyline.

In their own individual roles though, each character was sympathetically and sensitively defined, if not particularly easy to connect with and I found myself investing all my time and energy in them, during this condensed, short, yet excruciatingly desperate and painful journey.

This book would be an excellent choice for a book club or reading group, so long as you have a varied spectrum of members, with wide ranging, open-minded views about right and wrong, good and evil. I have no doubt that the ensuing discussions and debates would be lively – and you might even come up with a whole new ending for Perdie!

A gripping and dark morality tale. Perdie leaves her abusive husband and eventually finds happiness with her three children in a new life, but then tragedy strikes. Then the devil - she calls herself Ella, and speaks to the reader in sharp asides - offers her the chance to take back her choice. A fantastic book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

This was an awesome read. Riveting and compelling. Thank you Agora and Netgalley for this🌟🌟🌟🌟 starred book in exchange of an honest review.

This is a difficult book to review as it is unmitigatingly bleak. The book swings between the narrative of Perdie and her 3 children and her abusive husband with the voice of Ella, the devil. I found the devil’s musings a tad boring and the middle part of the book very slow. It was only after the devil offered Purdie the chance to go back on a decision she’d made years earlier and live a sliding doors life as if she’d never acted on the decision that things started to pick up.
I’m sure there will be many people who will love this book but I’m sorry, it wasn’t my cup of tea.

Im not sure I enjoyed this book, but that isn't a reflection on the book itself but rather the subject matter and the fact that it did make uncomfortable. I couldn't put it down and read it over two sittings as I was just hooked.
This is a fantastically written, harrowing book that will stay with you and have you thinking for a long time.

This book to me was a what could have been and not to take for granted what you have and to live each moment as if it were your last with someone you think dearly of

This story is told by Ella, (who by the way, is the devil) and follows one family throughout the trails and tribulations of their lives, specifically one decision made by the mother, Perdie.

The format and POV was unusual and thoroughly refreshing. It was enjoyable and interesting and I thought Ella was written incredibly well.

There was some difficult subject matter, with the book addressing domestic violence, grief and family dynamics. It was handled well but wasn’t an easy read at times.

I loved the way this played out with the dual timeline though. Perdie was such a wonderful main character and I felt her pain as she struggled with trying to be a good parent and make the right choices.

Moving and heartbreaking. This one will stay with me a while.

Actual rating 4.5 stars

Many thanks to the publisher for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Light and dark, evil and good, tossed back and forth, which will win? Tears and heartache, relief and thrills, all experienced in this book. It will take you to glorious heights and dark places, one of the most cleverly books I have ever been lucky to read, loved it.

I loved this book! I can’t gush about it enough although it should come with trigger warnings for violence and abuse.

Idle Hands is so beautifully written, it kept me intrigued through the entire thing – I didn’t want to put it down and read it in two sittings which for me is high praise indeed! It’s no secret – I rated this 5 stars and have been recommending it to everyone. It is available on Amazon now (it’s even on Kindle Unlimited!)

Idle Hands uses an emotional and relatable story to examine ‘What Ifs’ through the life of Perdie and her two children. Perdie is haunted by the decision to leave her violent husband giving her the opportunity to see the other side of the choice. By using the perspective of Ella to question if we are truly in control and making us ask if things would be better through a different choice, the reader is sucked in and forced to confront if the grass ever is greener.

Ella is honest and brutal in her narrative and she makes reading Idle Hands a truly unique experience. I love stories like this anyway (Sliding Doors is a favourite!) but Idle Hands completely blew me away!

Idle Hands by Cassondra Windwalker follows Perdie; a stay at home mum of 3, married to a violent husband who controls every aspect of her and their children's lives. Realising that the abuse will never end and worrying what lies in store for her kids, Perdie flees with them to start a new life. Initially a struggle, they eventually find peace and happiness, but years later tragedy strikes, and Perdie wonders if her choices have brought it upon her family...Has she led them to this fate?

Brilliantly written, with narration switching between Perdie and Ella (the devil), we see Perdie given the chance to undo her actions and stay in her abusive marriage. Will this be enough to change their trajectory?

This book really struck a chord with me as I'm mildly obsessed with the idea of time and fate, and how we see the grass as always greener elsewhere. We convince ourselves the world spins on our every decision; and give so much weight to the smallest of issues, as if everything hangs in the balance of our choices. The whole concept of being able to unpick a decision to potentially avert disaster is a great idea for a book and this didn't disappoint. It's easy to read and relate to and definitely gives the reader a lot to think about. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley, Agora Books and Cassondra Windwalker for the ARC

This was a great premise and I enjoyed it... at first, but then I got tired of it all. The best bit was the narrator, and I just didn’t feel her enough in between her interjections. So I skimmed part 2 and probably missed the good bits, but I just started to feel too much sadness and there’s too much of that around the moment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I had very little idea of what to expect from this novel, but I was blown away. Windwalker's narrative voice is so self-assured and engaging. Presenting the Devil as a narrator is an intriguing concept, and Windwalker manages to introduce several interesting phiolosophical concepts into the novel without it becoming abstract or preachy. Perdie's story is so relatable - what mother wouldn't want to do everything she could to protect her children? It's also a story of the dangers of domestic violence and the cycles of both mental and physical abuse this can lead to. I can't wait for her next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Agora Books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Certainly you'd rather die of the plague and take everyone you can with you before going without your requisite morning latte or those sun-dried tomatoes at your favourite market."

This is a story following parts of the lives of a family told from the perspective of the Devil. He (not sure on the pronoun for the Devil) talks to the reader as if you are college friends and he's telling/teaching you about what he does for a living. He gives some members of a family options to take after trying to influence the "human flaws" inside of them.

I really enjoyed how this was written and how you don't exactly dislike the Devil throughout the book. It brings up thoughtful questions about what free will truly is and the questionable actions we do because of our innate human nature. This was much more deep than I was expecting and was overall pleased with the ending.

4/5

TW: Death, Eating Disorders, Abuse, Grief, Bullying

This book did not prepare me for the journey I was about to go on. An excellent well written emotional book. Managed to read this in a couple of sittings because I couldn’t put it down.

All the characters were relatable and you find yourself being sympathetic towards them. The writing style was one that is not often seen and made for an excellent read.

I loved ella so much. She was such a sassy character. The story was really interesting and kept me reading. It just didn't hit the 5 star mark.

Perdie and her abusive husband, Matt, have three children - Hannah, Rachel and Tad. She decides to leave Matt, fearing that he will turn violent towards Tad, so they flee. It wasn't an easy choice for Perdie - staying with Matt and putting up with his tyrannical behaviour so her children might have a better start in life, or leaving, meaning her children would be facing potential poverty living as a single parent family. So Ella, the adversary (aka the Devil), enters stage left and watches from the sidelines, offering insights into Perdie's choices. Years later, tragedy strikes, and Perdie is left wondering if the choice she made to leave led to this moment.

I found this highly original, subtle tale really compelling. Although Perdie's story was engaging, it was Ella's perceptions that were the most engrossing. Instead of being repulsed by her, she was charismatic and bewitching, frequently offering some thoughtful pearls of wisdom. Mesmerised from the first chapter, I read this in one sitting. Idle Hands is haunting, heartrending and utterly brilliant!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Agora Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.