I found this to be a superb read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Very good novelist. Exciting, engrossing, page turner. Keeps you involved even if you know it's fiction. This book was definitely a winner for me, thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend to all. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me the opportunity to read this book. Top marks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In September 2019 Brooke meets father Oliver and son Finlay on a secluded beach in a quiet area of Wales. They’re currently staying at a B and B and although Brooke senses that something is not quite right with the pair, she impulsively offers them use of her holiday cottage for their stay. On the outskirts of London eighteen months previously, Christina is struggling with a number of things including the death of her sister a year earlier. She’s married to Matthew and they have young twins Elise and Edward. The two women are strangers but they are similar in that they are living a half life, both being weighed down with issues. The story is told from each perspective, both are interesting and you keep pondering on if or how their lives could interconnect in an unexpected way.

This is an enjoyable read starting with an unsettling incident and then building with little hints of mystery in both of their backgrounds which becomes very intriguing. The troubles that they are dealing with are depicted well, strongly conveying a variety of emotions such as anxiety, pain, grief and guilt. The children in the storyline are characterised well and I like how their personalities are polar opposites. The Welsh coastline adds a good dramatic dimension and it’s also used effectively to match a mood, especially those of Brooke. These are complicated people with complicated lives with entangled webs and all the resulting emotions. There is plenty of tension in the storytelling, some weird moments when things don’t add up as you realise characters have been caught out through their lies. In the last 20% tension really ramps up and scales fall from eyes and you realise you are dealing with obsession, fantasy and delusion. There are one or two occasions where it’s necessary to don disbelief suspenders but I don’t actually mind because it’s an entertaining read with plenty to keep you absorbed!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This was a delicious thriller. I read this over two days, jumping into bed each night to pick up where i left off! This book covers the timeline of two women: Chrissie and Brooke. I was thoroughly hooked and intrigued as to how their stories would overlap, and i was totally surprised with how the author managed to weave their stories together. I found the ending to be perfectly paced, and satisfying. I somewhat felt there was a wee jump between the final two chapters, and would have loved a bit more there. I loved this book and will definitely be keeping up with Victoria's future books!

I did enjoy reading this and the different view points worked and did not distract. I did have to suspend belief on the plot lines a few times but went with the flow and really enjoyed it.

This was a one setting read as a page turner and ending brilliant.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

I absolutely love this thriller. It was the perfect rainy day book. The story was suspenseful and tense. I couldn’t wait to find out how it ended.