Thanks NetGalley, Bookouture and Sheryl Browne for an ARC to review.
An engaging fast thriller that will keep you guessing till the end.
As the author explained at the letter, this book is how do we perceive people and how do we prejudge.
I'd like to read more for the author.

Synopsis:

Sarah’s son Ollie begins acting strange after he gets back from his first sleepover with his father and his father’s new girlfriend. Sarah tries to prod Ollie as to what happened, but he won’t tell her. Ollie tells her that Laura told him a huge secret and, Laura said her can’t tell her. Sarah is troubled by this and tries to raise her concerns (as she doesn’t trust Sarah), but no one will listen to her. She figures that they think she’s the jealous ex-wife and Laura is perfect. Then one day, Ollie disappears.

My review:

As I’ve said in previous reviews, I’m always excited to pick up a new title from Bookouture. They NEVER disappoint. This novel was no exception.

I found it to be a bit of a slow burn, but it was written in a way that held my attention. I myself am happily child-free, but I did feel for Sarah. It was easy to understand why she’d be concerned and why she would stop at nothing to protect her child. This story had many twists and turns and I was engaged from the start, and didn’t want to stop reading it – I finished it in less than a day and was shocked by the ending. It was a really well thought out plot which made for an enjoyable thriller.

Thank you to Net Galley, Bookouture and Sheryl Browne for the opportunity to review this ARC.

This is the first of Sheryl Browne's novels published by Bookouture that I read (I knew her from the romance ones she previously had published elsewhere) but it certainly won't be the last.
Being happily childless, I may not be the ideal reader for a story about a mother scared for her child's safety but still, the book's description intrigued me and then it was easy to empathise with Sarah, especially when everyone tried to reassure her and she was so frustrated to look like a "paranoid neurotic" or a ridiculously jealous woman.
The story is told in multiple points of view (but most often Sarah's) alternating in short chapters (which I like), and of course there are twists that make it hard to comment without giving anything away.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes the genre or is interested in trying it... but maybe not to people whose children are about to meet their other parent's new partner for the first time. ;)

After seeing the stunning cover on this book, and then reading the blurb, I was instantly drawn to it and boy, am I glad I was!

From the moment I started reading this, I was intrigued as to what was going to happen and what kind of secrets were lying beneath the surface with the characters. I couldn’t help being suspicious of Laura with the snippets of information we get early on in the story (and in the blurb), and wanted so desperately to find out where it was heading.

What I really enjoyed about this book is how it kept my focus all the way through, and how each and every character added so much depth to the storyline. I also have to add that the way this book ended was perfect for me. I feel totally and utterly satisfied with the ending and I love that feeling after reading a book.

Thanks again to Netgalley and Sheryl for a fabulous read 🙂

This was a great read that had me gripped from the start and was intense in some parts which made me want to carry on reading, a few twist and turns and I never guessed the ending which was good. I was a bit cautious about Laura and didn’t like the relationship she had with her mother, It’s the first book I have read by 5is author and it definitely will not be the last, I really like this book and would definitely recommend it.

Sarah is worried when her four year old son goes to visit her ex partner Steve and his new girlfriend Laura.
A slow burning psychological thriller that has twist and turns.
I found the use of multiple narrators put me off slightly because of the repetitive telling of events.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Whisper by Sheryl Browne is another gripping and twisty tale from an author who has become a 'must read' for me. Unlike Ms Browne's previous books, however, I found this one to be a bit of a slow burn, although I did remain fully engaged from the outset, and was duly rewarded for my patience.

Sarah and Steve share a young son, Ollie. Having recently split, Steve has moved on and started a relationship with Laura. Insisting that Ollie spend time with his new partner, Steve leaves Sarah to wonder just how well any of them really know the mysterious Laura, particularly when Ollie reveals that she has asked him to keep secrets. Trusting her instincts as a mother, Sarah questions Laura's suitability as a potential stepmother and finds herself not being taken seriously, instead being cast in the role of a jealous ex. But as Ollie continues to become more withdrawn, Sarah knows that she must stop at nothing to protect the welfare of her precious son.

Told from multiple points of view, this one will keep you in its grasp until its shocking conclusion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

This was a gripping thriller and hard to put down. Lots of twists and full of mystery and charm. A tale of a mom and her drive to protect her child, no matter the cost. Highly entertaining read that engaged me right from the start.

Thank you NetGalley and bookouture for this arc

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this Arc.
The Whisper by Sheryl Browne is a twisted and extremely gripping domestic thriller.
From the first page I was hooked. It was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I read it in a day because I just couldn't put it down. Definitely worth five stars.

The Whisper is a thriller filled with lots of twists.

. The reason i never gave it 5 stars was because it was a bit of a slow burn to read. I did manage to finish despite this issue. I did love the twists,whickh make up for the slowness. I did enjoy all the complex characters Sheryl has delivered and as always Sheryl Browne has written another great story.

I look forward to more of her stories. A definite recommend to anyone who love thrillers.

My thoughts and opinions are my own. i want too thank Netgalley and the publisher fir allowing me to read this arc

This one comes of a touch creepy that doesn’t make it one you won’t enjoy. Suspenseful keeping the reader engaged.

In a nutshell: Sarah and Steve, parents of three year old Ollie, have split up. Steve has a new girlfriend, Laura, who he wants Ollie to spend time with. Laura seems OK initially, but the more Sarah finds out about her, the weirder she seems, leading Sarah to worry about Ollie’s safety.

It’s got one of those tag lines which they always seem to have - “She thought XYZ. She was wrong.” (I always “hear” this inside my head in an ominous voice accompanied by booming music.)

Unfortunately the story just never really grabbed me, perhaps because the characters never came to life for me. There’re a lot of repetitive scenes of Sarah worrying over the Ollie/Laura situation. Understandable, but not that thrilling to read. Laura herself is clearly a troubled individual, haunted by events she can’t quite remember and prone to sleepwalking. When the revelations do eventually come, it wasn’t necessarily what I was expecting (I didn’t really know what to expect) but I guess it did make sense, though I was left a little confused as to how certain situations had actually come about. I did guess who was responsible when something happens to Ollie near the end.

Laura’s job was also a source of confusion. We are told she is a palliative care nurse - she describes herself as such - but according to her mother she has no qualifications, and her last job was as a teaching assistant. I’m not sure how she managed to become a palliative care nurse without training or qualifications. Possibly she is a healthcare assistant or similar, but she certainly describes herself as a nurse and nobody ever says she isn’t.

I’m sure many people will enjoy this story but unfortunately it didn’t really engage me.

I have loved all of Sheryl’s books and this is another fabulous read. As a parent myself I resonated with much of the subject matter and the twists and turns were great additions.

I've read many incredible books from Sheryl Browne and The Whisper is no different!

It's an age old saying. 'don't judge a book by it's cover', but as humans we can't help but make snap judgements in our heads, even if it's subconscious. Parental instinct is a very real thing, but it's also really hard to see your ex partner moving on after a relationship has failed.

Sarah has every right to worry about who her ex-husband has around her son. Children are so impressionable and vulnerable, a protective parent is exactly what they need. No one is expected to like their ex's new partner, but something about Laura just doesn't sit right with her, Sarah just has Ollie's best interests in mind.

Right from the off, you're questioning if Sarah's overreacting or if there's something genuinely 'off' about Laura. As you get to know Laura and some of her traumatic history, you can't help but wonder if it really is an overreaction from Sarah.
As you read on, everyone has their tangled web of secrets and lies and it's honestly impossible to decide who you should be siding with in all of the drama. I know I changed my 'allegiance' almost every chapter.

I won't spoil anything, but if you're expecting the usual 'last minute twist', The Whisper more than delivers in such unexpected ways.
The whole book has perfect rhythm and timing, with different elements of the story peaking at different times and sometimes leaves you in suspense that little bit longer to make the pay off really worth it!

It's a stark reminder that you never quite know what people are dealing with just under the surface. We all have a 'filter' that we apply to the world and I'm sorry to say that it's easy to see things the way we want to - rather than the way they actually are.
Coincidence is one thing, but how many coincidences can be explained away before you start to accept something sinister might really be going on?

Horror can be found in the most unexpected of places...

This was typical Sheryl Browne . Fast paced and entertaining reading . Raced through it in an afternoon . Sarah is Mum to Ollie and she is understanderbly concerned when her ex moves in with another woman who it seems takes a rather unhealthy obsession with Ollie , everyone thinks Sarah is over reacting but as Sarah digs deeper she uncovers some alarming truths . Of course nothing is what it seems at first and there are lots of twists as you would expect . Great read as usual . Highly recommended

Let me start by saying I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to. From the description, I was expecting a home run but it fell flat for me. To start, I don't like the title; I understand slightly why that title was chosen but it doesnt really hold. There are too many points of view going on for me. It made it hard to follow, especially when each point of view contained repetitive, over explanations that made the story longer than it needed to be. I finished this book just so I could give an honest review.

What a whirlwind of emotion this book was! I totally got Sarah’s concerns and loved her chapters. I felt her apprehension as she’d hand her little boy over to her ex husband and his new partner, Laura. As the concerns about her piled up, the intensity of the story increased to breathtaking heights. The complexity of the problems really wove around intricately, taking me on a journey.

Revelations escaped at just the right time, keeping me glued to the pages and dying to know what would happen next. Oh, and ‘this is our little secret...’ - that line is immensely creepy when children are involved.

I found Laura to be a more complicated character which is what made her so intriguing. I also loved how things twisted and turned. One minute I was convinced that I knew what was happening then something would challenge that thought.

The ending was a whopper and definitely jaw dropping. This psychological thriller had me totally gripped throughout and I read it it in two sittings. It’s a fast read so buckle up. If it’s speedy, breathtaking and twisty you’re after, ‘The Whisper’ is your book!

This book is fantastic and another great read by Sheryl Browne. She is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.
It’s the perfect domestic thriller with an unforgettable twist at the end. I’d definitely recommend this one.

'The Whisper' is a gripping domestic thriller with many twists and turns that keeps you guessing till the end.
Sarah and Steve, parents to 3-year old Ollie, are divorced and have moved on to new partners, even as they maintain a cordial relation for the sake of their son. Sarah however doesn't trust Laura, Steve's new girlfriend and live-in partner. Though sweet and stuttering on the outside, Sarah believes Laura has a sinister motive that involves Ollie and despite her attempts to prove it, she is brushed off as the jealous ex-wife. But 'there is such a thing as a mother's intuition,' she tells Joe, her policeman boyfriend and her worst fears come true when Ollie goes missing one day.
The story is narrated in five POVs which was a bit excessive, I think.  Laura is portrayed as manipulative, obsessive and sneaky, hiding a big secret while Sarah comes across as unhinged and rambling in her attempts to uncover those secrets. And the two male protagonists, Steve and Joe, seem to be caught up in the craziness between two women each. Much of the book was spent in Sarah oscillating between accusing and apologizing to Laura. The plot twists were quite thrilling and so the culprit came across as a surprise, even though there were hints earlier. The ending of the book was kind of a let-down as it seemed too rushed, leaving a few unanswered questions.
Overall, an engaging and intense page-turner. A big thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m torn on this one so I would have to say a solid 3.6 stars. It was a good plot but the pacing felt dragged out a bit with continuous second guessing and people constantly being on different pages. Literally and figuratively.

Sarah and Steve are recently divorced and have a little boy named Ollie. Steve is moving in with his new girlfriend named Laura and naturally Sarah wants to get to know the new lady in her son’s life. She seems innocent at first but then she has all these secrets and is obsessed with Ollie quickly. She purchases presents Sarah mentioned she was going to get him, she set up his room with the same wallpaper he has from home there are just all these red flags. She also has an overbearing mother named Sherry who always seems to scare Laura when she is in her presence. Towards the end of the book Ollie disappears and it’s a toss up who could have been guilty.

There are multiple characters and point of views presented which is entertaining but everyone’s thoughts were all over the place. The amount of self doubt, then worry, then guilt Sarah had gave me whiplash. It was a quick read and I did enjoy it but I found myself skimming over Sarah’s mind because it just felt repetitive. In the end everything unfolded neatly but it was as if the author spent all this time making the build up and wrapped it up in a single chapter. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the pace but do recommend as it was a good story line.

Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.