A woman and her husband are dead, survived by her son. It seems like he has killed his mother and stepfather. His aunt is devastated, and simply will not believe he killed his mother. She is willing to believe that he killed his stepfather. She has suddenly started to hear a lot of rumors about her brother-in-law, and none of it is good. What really happened and what went on in her sister's life?

This is an intriguing story, and I wanted to find out what happened. I did however feel like the story was lagging a bit, and it could have been a bit shorter. There was a little bit too much repetition and pondering about what went on with the married couple. It felt like even the reader got things faster than the sister did. Otherwise it was an enjoyable read, and the ending actually made me smile. Take that, abusing and cheating men! 3,5 stars.

The Perfect Illusion….?
An idyllic cottage, in an idyllic spot and a seemingly perfect couple. Surely everything is just so, just how it should be? One night something dreadful happens to shatter that perfect illusion. What truths will it bring? Engaging, edge of seat suspense with a well timed drip feed of twists and turns. A gripping read.

Once again, I approach this review with trepidation; how can I do the words of SE Lynes justice in a review which is basically me just blubbering at how AMAZING her writing is and how emotional I am reading them! I always worry that I don’t do the books any justice with my reviews, I don’t really say much about the story and what to expect, as I want you all to experience that for yourselves: for me when reviewing SE Lynes it’s all about the feels and once again she drew every single one of those feels out from me!
If ever there was an apt title, it’s this one! Susie Lynes is The One To Blame for the bags under my eyes, for me being unable to focus on work because all I want to do is get back to reading that bloody book and for the palpitations in my heart as once again she spun her magical writing web and trapped me inside the pages!
I was delighted to see SE Lynes cross over the border once again, and into Scotland for this one. So not only has she drew out all of my emotions she’s brought her storytelling home to me and to one of the most beautiful parts of my country, Inveraray. She captures the essence of the place so perfectly and I love how she always manages to take a place of beauty and shroud it in such delicious darkness.
All of the characters SE Lynes creates feel so real to me and in this novel this was not any different; those two sisters, I could feel the bond between them, I could sense the guilt, the sense of betrayal, the uncertainty as the story unfolded. I could feel little fingers of doubt run up and down my spine as I tried to work out who to trust and who not to trust and the writer creates this tension from the very outset as she drop kicks the reader with a statement in that opening that will have their jaws clatter off the floor!
SE Lynes doesn’t just tell a story, she paints you a picture, a painting filled with layers of life and emotion, a painting that insists you look under the surface and search for the meaning behind it. As the story unfolds she really draws out the characters, bringing them to life; creating an atmosphere full of tension and lies which simmer away under the surface waiting to burst into life.
If you’re looking for a fast paced, wham bam thank you mam kind of read then you’ve come to the wrong place but that is what makes SE Lynes’ writing so perfectly addictive, it teases out the story, it draws you into the lives of the characters and it makes you care. Like really care. Some of the characters I wanted to cuddle, some I wanted to hold at arms length until I’d made up my mind and some I wanted to reach inside the pages and throttle! Lies, guilt and toxic relationships are all explored in this beautiful but deadly work of genius; the writer takes you by the hand, she dangles you over the edge of a cliff, threatens to drop you before pulling you back and she does it all so effortlessly.
If you haven’t read any of SE Lynes books then there seriously is a want with you! All standalones so you can start anywhere you want. Do yourself a favour and get over to wherever you buy your books from and get clicking now!

Totally off the scale star rating for me!

This is my first novel by this author but I now definitely want to read more.
The characters are all well developed and believable if not likeable. The relationship between Annie and Isla reflects how you can love your sibling and not really know them.
There are twists along the way but nothing that is too far fetched to ruin the story.
I was griped and am really pleased that this was recommended to me.

Everything I have come to expect from SE Lynes - gripping, fantastic characters and utterly unputdownable. Cannot recommend more highly.

I love Susie's books, she is such a magnificent, talented and creative author so I always devour her books and I finish them thoroughly satisfied. The One To Blame only increases my admiration for her genius, and yes, another brilliant story has been told.
Isla is close to her sister, Annie, but they do not live in each other's pockets, as they are separated geographically and they live different lives, Annie with her son and husband and Isla has her independence and career. When Isla receives a call late at night to say that there has been a fire, she drops everything to travel to be with her nephew, She discovers she did not know as much as she thought she did about her sister's life. What can she do to make things right for her sister? Is she better to let matters lie? She wants justice, but at what cost? Did she know her sister at all? Will Isla make the right decisions?
Isla faces real dilemmas and had me thinking, what would I in her situation? A must read for SE Lynes fans and those new to this author who enjoy a brilliant read.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒖𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆'𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒐.'

This was my first book by this author and I must say, she had me hooked. I did feel my heart break several times while reading it, but the ending was worth all that torture.

Isla is shattered when she receives the news that her beloved sister Annie and her husband Dom have been killed in a fire. Rushing to be with her 21-year old nephew, Callum, Isla realizes that even as Annie was much loved in her small community, the happy picture that she had painted of her family life, was infact a lie. As the investigation proceeds, Isla wonders how much she really did know her sister and if things are as straightforward as they seem.

The book started off to an extremely slow pace, alternating between Isla's grief at the loss of her sister and guilt at not having been there enough for her. The twisty tale is gradually unraveled through Isla's POV in the present and Annie's flashbacks.

Isla's angst is almost tangible, drawing the reader into the love and hurt she feels for her sister. I wonder, though, if Annie's repeated chant of 'I have made my bed and so must lie in it,' is the rationale used by many a victim, as they stay on in their abusive relationship, despite the physical, emotional, and psychological abuse they have endured.The glimpses that the author gives into Annie and Dom's toxic married life is extremely hard to read and in my opinion, should come with a trigger warning.

Overall, a gripping and twisty read. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The One to Blame tells the story of Annie and Isla, two sisters torn apart when tragedy strikes. Too much more and I'll be giving the plot away.
SE Lynes certainly knows how to write. The Housewarming was stellar and reached the dizzying heights in the charts. I have every reason to think that this one will follow suit.
But Lyne's skill isn't just about strong writing. These two books couldn't be more different if they tried and that is something I think I admire more than her trademark delicious prose, well rounded characters and mind bending plot twists. Lyne's is that rare breed: An expert wordsmith. Read it. Devour it. Share it!

If you’ve been following me for the last little while, I don’t have to tell you how much I love Bookouture titles. I can’t remember reading one that I haven’t enjoyed. “The One to Blame” is another hit.

It was a bit slow to start, but picked up very quickly.

I haven’t read a story quite like this one before. It was a tense and twisty thriller, with interesting characters and a well-developed plot. It would probably make a great movie, especially with the surprise twist.

If you’re into tense and twisty stories, then “The One to Blame” is the one for you! I highly recommend adding this to your TBR list this summer.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and S.E. Lynes for the opportunity to review this ARC. This review and all opinions are my own.

First I’d like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review. Not going to lie, this book started out a little slow for me. I think it may be the fact that I’m American and some of the slang didn’t make sense to me. However, I’ve enjoyed other books by this author so I stuck with it and I’m glad I did! I realized the ending slightly before it was revealed and I was so satisfied by it! It was not an outcome that even crossed my mind until I was about 85% through the book but once I realized I devoured the rest to get the full story. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it!

I came across this authors work earlier in the year when I read ‘The Housewarming’ which I thoroughly enjoyed. Since then I have have been trying to catch up on the authors other books.

Isla receives a phone call in the middle of the night from her nephew Cal telling her that her sister Annie and partner Dom were dead. Annie was always a free spirit and had settled down with Dom and son Cal in Cornwall. Isla immediately heads to Cornwall from her London home to offer support to Cal and to find out what has happened.

On reaching Annie’s house she is met by smoke and ashes of her home and all her belongings. What has happened, what caused the fire and who is the one to blame.

The more I read the more I enjoyed it, it didn’t have the instant appeal from the earlier books but it did get there. Plenty of suspense and twists making this an excellent read.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Just wow. This book grabbed me by the throat from the outset and didn't relinquish its grip until the very end. The story of sisters Annie and Isla — so close and yet so far apart in some ways — is painted with exquisite detail, and I literally had tears in my eyes on so many occasions.
The first jab to the gut comes very early. I'd like to say more but don't want to spoil it for others. What I will say is, as a mother, it tore at my emotions on a visceral level. When all you believe is shaken up, overturned and doubt needles you with relentless fury. Who — and what — to trust when all you thought was true may well turn out to be a strewn pack of lies.
There are characters to take to your heart, characters to make you simmer with rage. Scenes that will have you gasping (I did literally scream out loud at one point). And lines that stand out, as is always the case in the author's books.
I park up outside my sister's cottage. Tiredness and grief are rocks in my pockets.
I close my eyes. Funny how it's our eyes we close to somehow hear less, when in fact it concentrates the sense even further.
Am I the only one who isn't trying not to smile all the time, the only one who feels that just because it's been explained doesn't make it less complicated?
Some books, regardless of their efforts to woo us with their trickery and fish shop quota of red herrings, fail to hit the mark. They fade from memory when the last page is read. Trust me, this book will linger long after the closing pages.

S. E. Lynes does it again! 😱 This novel outlines an ultimate ‘What if?’ scenario for the reader which leaves you pondering after you turn the last page. Even my husband liked joining in on the hypothetical conversation with me about the character Callum’s position in the book. 😂 The way this book weaves its twists and turns is unpredictable, and I didn’t see the final twist coming AT ALL!

S.E Lynes books never fail to deliver and this, her ninth, is no exception. Annie and Isla are sisters, Annie, the wild child has settled down and found a step father for her son, Isla is following her career in London. But when Isla gets a panic call from her nephew in the middle of the night, every thing changes and we go on the journey of what happens beyond the Happy Ever After, where nothing is what it seems.
Beautifully structured, with clever, well-observed characterisation this novel delivers. If you’ve ever been the victim of a narcissist, there will be powerful moments of recognition. The characterisation of Dominic resonates with verisimilitude. Written with Lynes trademark intelligence, skill and sensitivity and with a shocking final twist, this is five stars all the way.

Wow what a compelling book from start to finish. Yet another masterpiece written by Susie Lynes.
Young love, broken promises, family ties and unique bonds are the crux of this story.
Strong believable characters.

Oooooh this was a shocker! Twisty, intriguing characters, unexpected. It was a little slow at the beginning and that was difficult for me, but it truly was worth it. It was told in flashbacks which is always fun to read.

I absolutely love this thriller. This heart thumping fast paced story...I couldn’t wait for it to end. I highly recommend this book.

This book was more of an ok read for me, it was slow for a lot of the book, maybe about 70% of it. I guessed the twist so I didn't find it all that surprising. It got better towards the end esp dealing with who Callum really was, was he guilty, about to do more damage

A very enjoyable book! It did start off a tad bit slow, but quickly picked up a little before 30% of the book!
I enjoy Lynes books. She really knows how to.add the mysteries in the mix. With the twist and turns.
About 50% of the way in.... Is when things start to.pick up! And in was invested after that!
Thank you NetGalley and My Favorite Pub Eva Bookouture for this good quick read!

Adding to my Goodreads closer to Pub date!

Isla and Annie are close sisters. They were brought up in a small Scottish town by strict parents. Annie has married Dom and moved away while Isla has made her life in London. Isla takes a call in the middle of the night, her sister and her husband are dead and when she goes to her sisters house she realises that Annie’s life hasn’t been the expected happy one. So what exactly happened?
This book had me hooked from the beginning. The plot is cleverly told by Isla with flashbacks from Annie. This is another of S E Lynes brilliantly structured mysteries which will keep you guessing right to the end.
I would recommend this wholeheartedly!