Liane Moriarity is sort of a hot commodity these days, following the success of several books and subsequent TV versions of Big Little Lies (a friend called it “real estate porn”) and Nine Perfect Strangers. So I couldn’t pass up the chance to read a copy of Apples Never Fall from Henry Holt and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

The central focus is the Delaney family…and THEIR central focus is tennis. The parents, Stan and Joy, after fifty years of what looks like a happy marriage, sell their tennis academy and get ready for their golden years. “Joy had time to wander about specialty supermarkets looking for unusual ingredients, except she wanted to cry with boredom at the thought.” Her opinion is that there is a “…secret of a happy marriage: step away from the rage.” So are they REALLY happy?

Their four adult children, two men and two women, are all strong competitive tennis players, and are all doing well despite never attaining the level of success their father dreamed of. And it seems Joy has spent years tiptoeing around Stan often at the expense of their children, particularly daughter Amy, as the “…risk of upsetting Stan outweighed the risk of upsetting Amy.” Joy has been on the edge for a looooong time: “When the kids wer little her mood remained set at a permanent low level of irritability.” Now, years later, it becomes evident that “…she’d never wanted his gratitude, just his acknowledgement. Just once.”

So, life is quite unsettled when a stranger named Savannah knocks on their door late one night, bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend. They invite her in, and she ends up staying….and staying. After Joy disappears, Savannah then goes missing, and the police begin a serious investigation. Stan claims innocence and ignorance, but he sure seems to have a lot to hide. Two of the adult children think their father is innocent, while the other two aren’t so sure. It’s a classic domestic drama with well-developed characters, clever plotting, and a solid ending. Four and a half stars, but since I can’t split stars, let’s call it a solid four. Another solid effort from Ms.Moriarty,

Love a book about sibling dynamics and a book that keeps you guessing until the end. This new Liane Moriarty book does not disappoint!

Engrossing family drama about a mother who goes missing and the main suspect is the husband. When Joy Delaney goes missing, it seems as if her husband Stan is the culprit behind her disappearance. The 4 Delaney children are torn between trying to protect their father and trying to find out what happened to their mother. The story also becomes complicated when a stranger comes to stay with Joy and Stan. Liane Moriarity introduces characters who have layers of secrets and past connecting histories, which kept me reading to the end to find out what exactly what or who is behind Joy's disappearance. Although I expected a bit more from the ending, it was still a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Four adult siblings become concerned when their mother sends them a cryptic message and appears to have disappeared. Their parents are recently retired from running a tennis academy located behind their home for decades. Their father is the prime suspect because he admits they had a fight on the night the mother disappeared. Intertwined in the mystery, the reader goes is transported to bits and pieces of the children's childhoods, tennis prowess, and current situations. The children are not sure whether their father killed their mother or is even capable of doing such a thing. Throw in a mysterious girl who showed up at their parents front door one night that they let live with them although they didn't know her and you have another stellar work by #LianeMoriarty. This work reminds the reader of how #ApplesNeverFall far from the tree. Thanks #NetGalley..

I've read all of Liane Moriarty's books and thoroughly enjoyed them, however, this book just took too long to get to the end.

An intriguing mystery within a family drama! Their missing mom, a mysterious house guest, and their reticent father have left the four adult Delaney kids stumped. There is a slow drip of clues as we learn more about the Delaney family and their tennis obsessions, and in the process, delicious secrets are revealed.

I loved the multiple non- linear POVs with all of the Delaneys, (we don't get the dad's until the end, which was so good!) and the random people who overhear conversations, which I thought was a very clever narrative device. I really liked the character-driven plot, digging deeper and deeper into this family who all take each other for granted, but love and defend each other despite it. The end is memorable and I don't doubt this will be a TV show at some point with its rich tapestry of family, including the frustrations, the rage, and the love.

Wow!! Liane Moriarty really serves it up in this one ! She is the queen of family drama. Lots of tea was spilled and I was here for it with a big bowl of popcorn !
This book reinforces the fact that no one else can write family drama like she can . We can all relate to the Delayney’s in some way or another . I mean , we all have parents , lots of us have brothers or sisters and/or kids . Add to that, nosy neighbors, frenemies, well intentioned police officers, a missing mom and a cooking stranger in the house and BAM! you have the makings for a great book .
I really enjoyed this one, start to finish it held my attention to the end . I loved the dynamic of adult kids with aging parents and the concerns that brought . As well as how the need for parental approval never really goes away . Sibling dynamics sometimes just kind of stay the same as we age and we “maintain” our roles we have within the family .
The mystery component was the perfect amount . It didn’t overwhelm the storyline but still managed to stay consistently in the forefront . All in all, I became pretty attached to the Delaney family and found myself rooting for them all , even in their

This book was great until the very end. I loved how the book ended and the twist ending. What I didn't like were the ending chapters and how covid was the subject. I believed that ruined it for me. I read to escape today's world not read about in a book I was truly enjoying.

3.5
Liane Moriarty is a skilled author who effortlessly creates a diverse cast of characters. It is this skill that impresses me most in her novels, including this one. The Delaneys are a complicated family and Moriarty gives us background and descriptive details for member. I wasn't sure where the plot would go or how Savannah's character would tie into the story arc. At times, I was perplexed and confused by the plot trajectory and behaviors of the characters (but who can understand the choices and behaviors of others?). However, Moriarty inserts details and information throughout the novel that come back when needed to explain plot points. While I didn't believe every character and some behavior was strange, I appreciated the unusual personalities and idiosyncrasies that propelled the story forward. Although at times I wasn't sure I would be happy with the resolution, this was a satisfying read.

Wow! I couldn’t put down the latest from Liane Moriarty, Apples Never Fall. The cast of characters is both likable and loathsome, but always interesting. Stan and Joy head up their family of adult children who each have multiple issues that they don’t want to share with each other. Enter Savannah, a mysterious girl who shows up one night and inserts herself into their lives. Savannah is an astute observer, but is really collecting ammunition that she can use on the weaknesses of each of them. But the big question is why does she go to such lengths to hurt these strangers? Turns out that things aren’t what they seem to be. Good job, Ms. Moriaty!

Tennis isn’t a team sport but the Delaneys are unexpectedly forced to work together in Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. The novel follows the Delaney family, all former competitive tennis players, and how they each deal with attempting to work together as a family unit when their mother goes missing. The siblings, each already struggling with their own catastrophes, analyze their childhood and parent’s marriage, while also dealing with discovering what happened to their mother. The appearance of a mysterious stranger, paired with allegations of not so marital bliss, makes this novel an entertaining whodunnit.

No spoilers, but the end dragged on a bit and it seemed as if the last several chapters were an afterthought and included last minute. It didn’t ruin my overall enjoyment of the book, but it definitely read more like an ending after the originally written ending, or a last minute epilogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

#ApplesNeverFall #NetGalley

Liane Moriarty's latest release is a surprising gem of a tale full of dysfunctional family dynamics and astute observations about the fallibility of humans. Joy Delaney, wife to Stan for over 50 years and mother of four, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances and while her adult children are worried, none of them make a move to report her missing to the police. The obvious suspect in a missing persons case is always the spouse and no one in the family is sure if their father is truly innocent. The Delaney clan is known and a bit envied by members of the community for their success as well as their obsession with the sport of tennis. Stan, a retired tennis coach, previously ran a tennis school with his wife however his drive for success bled over into the lives of his children, creating a bit of a toxic dynamic. The children still compete in doubles tournaments with some success. Life is going along as usual until a stranger by the name of Savannah shows up unexpectedly on their doorstep, beaten and bruised by an abusive boyfriend. Her arrival ends up changing the course of their lives in surprising and unexpected ways and she ultimately plays an important part in the unfolding mystery.
Bit by bit details surrounding each of the Delaney's lives are revealed painting an ever clearer picture of the family.
Apples Never Fall provides a fascinating peek into one family's past, including the sibling rivalries, personalities, and secrets that shape a family and each of its members, ultimately begging the question, do we ever really know what goes on behind closed doors? While the mystery stemming from Joy's disappearance is pivotal to the plot, it is not the focal point of the story. The complex family relationships and dynamics that form and change over time as well as the sibling rivalries and the inevitable hurt and betrayal that stem from being a part of a family are the real center of this sweeping family drama. The story unfolds in two distinct viewpoints; the past leading up to Joy's disappearance and the present day going forward into the investigation into her whereabouts. Lianne Moriarty expertly portrays the innerworkings of a complex family relationship and how each of the decisions that are made over the course of the story consequently impacts their lives in unforeseen ways. Each character in the story is expertly crafted and well drawn and while the story does touch upon some deep topics, there is just the right amount of humor injected in the witty dialogue. Apples Never Fall is a must read for lovers of family suspense dramas.

I have to be honest and say that I didn't enjoy this book, although I have enjoyed others by this author. It didn't interest me enough to be able to finish it, although I did manage to get half way through. I found the characters not very likeable and the premise far-fetched. Who lets a stranger into their home in the middle of the night and basically adopts the person. Just because I didn't like it does not mean that it wasn't well written. It just wasn't for me. I chalk it up to different strokes for different folks -- thank goodness for variety!

A truly absorbing piece of domestic fiction that examines family, marriage, and sibling relationships.

Stan and Joy Delaney seem to have it all -- fifty years of wedded bliss, a successful tennis academy that they've recently sold, and 4 grown, reasonably adjusted children. Unfortunately, retirement isn't exactly proving to be as exciting as they'd hoped and tensions build as they each reflect on their shared history and their individual disappointments. After a disastrous encounter with a young woman, Savannah, who shows up on their doorstep one night, things come to a boil and the family is having some serious issues. When Joy later goes missing, Stan is the main suspect. The children seem to take sides and no one wants to believe that Stan could be responsible. As the days drag on, each of them takes a closer look at each other and their memories. No spoilers.

I really enjoyed this one though it took awhile for the story to really get going. Told in alternating points of view with time jumps, each of the characters comes slowly into perfect focus and the reader is left feeling that they know these people quite well. The author is an excellent writer and is really able to give these characters the depth and range to elicit our sympathy and frustrations. Set in Australia, the story comes alive on the pages and the mystery of Joy's disappearance begs to be solved. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

Wow what a gread read! Liane Moriarty never disappoints and I think this is her best book yet! This one definitely kept me guessing the enitre time I could not put it down!

Liane Moriarty's "Apples Never Fall" focuses on dysfunctional relationships. Aussies Joy and Stan Delaney are retired senior citizens who are reassessing their marriage. In their younger days, they were accomplished tennis players and coaches who ran a successful tennis academy. Their four children, Logan, Troy, Amy, and Brooke were proficient at tennis when they were kids, and their trophies testify to the hard work they put in over a period of years to improve their skills. Joy gave up a promising singles career to take care of her husband and kids and help run the Delaney tennis academy, a decision that seemed sensible at the time. Now, Stan and Joy have an empty nest and a bit too much time on their hands. In this funny and heartbreaking novel, loved-ones squabble with one another and long-held secrets come to light. One evening, a waif-like woman named Savannah appears at Joy and Stan's home barefoot, bleeding, and distraught. Joy takes her in, Savannah insinuates herself into the Delaney household, and the newcomer becomes a catalyst for discord.

Moriarty uses flashbacks effectively and depicts her characters with care. Logan is a kind man who shies away from conflict. Troy is a risk-taker and show-off who wrecked his marriage to the beautiful and good-hearted Claire. Amy, whose emotions are never far from the surface, is still struggling to find herself. Brooke is glad to be rid of her soon-to-be-ex and hopes that her new business will thrive. Meanwhile, there is trouble afoot. Joy and Stan are a bit bored now that they are no longer working. More worrying is the fact that the four younger Delaneys suspect that Savannah is a liar and scam artist who could pose a threat to their family.

"Apples Never Fall" is an engrossing tale about the façades people maintain in public in order to conceal their genuine thoughts and emotions. Moriarty digs deeply into her characters' psyches, revealing their fears, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. The author shows that childhood resentments do not always fade with time. Even well-meaning parents may be controlling and obnoxious, to the detriment of their unfortunate offspring. When a central character disappears, two detectives grill anyone with information to share and the cops eventually zero in on a suspect. Moriarty suggests that fame, wealth, and awards may be gratifying, but they do not ensure lasting happiness. Those who lack self-esteem, nurse grudges, and live in the past are likely to end up alone and bitter. Redemption is possible only if those who have been hurt or have inflicted harm on others are smart and self-aware enough to face reality, get competent professional help, and make amends before it is too late.

“Apples Never Fall” by Liane Moriarty, Henry Holt and Co., 480 pages. Sept. 14, 2021.

The four grown Delaney siblings ―Amy, Logan, Troy, and Brooke―are discussing their mother, Joy, who has been missing for a week.

They are reluctant to call the police because they think the police will suspect their father, Stan, of killing her.

Stan and Joy have been married 50 years. They live in Sydney, Australia. They’ve finally sold their famed tennis academy. Harry Haddad, a former pupil, went on to be a tennis star after he got a new coach. The four Delaney children were good tennis players, but none played professionally.

The previous September, a stranger named Savannah Pagonis knocked on Stan and Joy’s door. She was bleeding after a fight with her boyfriend. The Delaneys were more than happy to help her.

Later, after Savannah has left and Joy is missing, the police question the one person who remains: Stan. But for someone who claims to be innocent, he seems to have a lot to hide. Two of the Delaney children think their father is innocent and two are not so sure.

Moriarty delves into the innermost thoughts of each of the characters, exposing secrets. All four of the siblings have vastly different memories of childhood. Their memories don’t match up with their siblings’ or their parents’ memories. The tension builds as the story plays out.

There are little clues as to what happened along the way, but I missed the signs and was surprised by the ending. This is a psychological family story you don’t want to miss.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

In Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty, the Delaneys are a tennis family in Sydney, Australia. Meet Mom Joy, Dad Stan, and Amy, Logan Troy, and Brooke. But that was the past: Mom and Dad have since sold the business, and none of the children play competitively anymore. Instead, the adult children are balancing, how much do they tell the police about their parents' relationship now that Joy has gone missing?

Adding to the mystery is a stranger named Savannah who had shown up on the Delaney’s doorstep months ago, and Joy and Stan had taken her in after hearing her domestic abuse story. But how much of her story is true? What are their parents thinking taking in this person?

When Joy is missing, Savannah cannot be found by the police for questioning. And because it’s “always the husband,” Stan finds himself having to defend himself. Whether the children tell the police all they know remains to be seen as is a surprising twist in the end.

Liane Moriarty, an Australian author, has seen two of her previous novels show up as televisions series: Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers. Her story-telling style seems to play well with major scripts and big stars like Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting September 13, 2021.

I would like to thank Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Tragic disappointment! I would take a bullet for Liane, any day. 300+ pages of meandering filler was disappointing to trudge through before FINALLY smashing into, and through, a climax readers know and trust Liane can always deliver. Looking forward to what others think when it comes to the balance of slow burn vs. domestic thriller. This said, I doubt that even Nicole Kidman could carry this story, let alone make anything of it, when its likely optioned.

The Delaney family are not quite Australian tennis royalty but in their suburban Sydney community, Joy and Stan along with their four children Amy, Logan, Troy and Brooke always seem to be the talk of the town. But, after a mysterious woman enters their lives, then Joy goes missing and Stan becomes the prime suspect everyone takes sides and nothing and no one are what they appear to be.

I really loved this book. Moriarty has the reader captivated by the mystery of Joy's disappearance as well as interested in the day to day lives of the Delaney family.The Apple Never Falls is truly a messy family saga, and if you like those then this book is for you. Although, most of the book feels suspenseful to me, the ending gives the reader such a psychological fright, with its conclusion, that you ultimately see how this book can be categorized as a thriller. I cannot recommend it enough, to readers whom like character driven and slow burning, thrillers.