I really like thrillers, but I didn't like this one. The plot seemed way too rushed, and was also made up completely of cliche, overworked ideas from every thriller plot ever. I saw the ending coming from very early on, which is not a good sign for a thriller.

Thanks netGalley and the publisher for advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.8 stars.

Isabel left home at 16 and returns 15 years later with her 14 year old son. Secrets kept for years end up casing lots of damage.

Honestly, I don’t know what to feel about this book. The premise is interesting, I was really excited to be introduced to the characters and to know more about the conflicted relationship between Ruth and Isobel. I wanted to know why Isobel left her home, her mother, everything, only to come back 15 years later.

But, no matter how intriguing the plot or how superb the writing is — I wasn’t into it. I felt too far away from the heart of the story. The revelations were obvious and underwhelming. It failed to reach a certain amount of satisfaction. Like, I was only 40 pages in and I wanted it to end already. I’ll read more books from this author, hopefully, I’ll find her other works more delightful.

Great Narrators! I listened to the audiobook and once the story warmed up I loved it! I had a hard time putting it down! Definitely worth the listen!
15 years ago Isobel left her home leaving only a note to her mother saying she was leaving and not to try to find her. Ruth has spent the past 15 years trying to heal and wondering why her daughter, whom she felt like was her best friend, left leaving only the note. Ruth focused on the school that had been in her family for several generations giving the school her full focus and attention.
So one night when Isobel and her teenage son, Issac, show up at her door out of nowhere wanting to stay with her because they have no place to go. Of course, Ruth allows them to stay, she wants to get to know her teenage grandson she never knew. Ruth gets her grandson into her school and gets Isobel to work at the school with her other daughter, Cecily. While Cecily acts cold she soon starts acting like she cares about her sister and her nephew and Ruth is focused on what she can do to help build the school up to the next level. Then, when an investor comes into view Ruth is ecstatic and cautious trying to keep everything in the school a secret to gain the investor so she can try to help the school become a better place! However, when it seems Isobel's past is coming into play when a brick is thrown through the family's window and Issac is attacked at the school. Slowly things start shifting and Ruth picks the school and tries to cover up the attack and reassure the parents of the students to keep the investor interested!
Wow! What I will say about this book is that the ending was shocking! I didn't see the last couple of twists coming! However, Ruth is one nasty individual and proves it time over time that she will pick the school and its reputation over her own daughters!
Thank you Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, and Netgalley for providing me a copy to review!

This book took me by surprise. I wasn’t sure at the beginning but as the story continued I was invested.

This is a dual POV story and it fit so perfectly. The story is split between Isobel, the daughter who ran away 15 years ago and returns home and Ruth, her mother who is left with the question of why her daughter left.

As the story unfolds we slowly get the answer to “Why She Left”. The plot twists were so well written into the story that you are left with a satisfying ending.

Although this book has difficult subject matter, which was hard to read about, I really enjoyed it. The story is told by two women. Ruth is the mother and she runs a prestigious school, which has been in her family for years, and she is obsessed with it. She has two daughters and one of them, Isobel, left the family and the school when she was only 16. Unfortunately, there was a sad reason for her leaving, and this is explored later in the book, and it is only one part of a jigsaw. Ruth was devastated when Isobel left and she never got to find out why she left. Isobel comes back to the family many years later, with her 15 year old son, and Ruth is shocked to see them, but she is thrilled too and she welcomes them into her home and into her school. Someone tries to sabotage the school, and Isobel and her son coming back. But who could it be?

I just loved this book and I found it very gripping and entertaining. I loved the narrator of the book, who did a great job conveying the characters of Ruth and Isobel. The book really drew me in from the start and I never wanted to put it down. I highly recommend this book, which is a fantastic read! I am happy that I have found a new author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It takes a lot for a plot twist to surprise me, but this author managed to do it over and over again. Every time I thought I had it all worked out, she proved me wrong. And in a good way. There were clues all along, I just didn't put them together in the right order. Mostly because the author was strongly steering me in the wrong direction, but even if I had predicted the ultimate outcome, I still would have immensely enjoyed this book.

The characters were unique, all struggling with their own demons. Everyone seemed to think they were doing what was "best" for those that they loved, but they did it in a haughty "I know what's best for you" kind of way, and they never asked their loved ones what they truly needed. This trait was most evident in the mother, Ruth, but it trickled down to her daughters in that way that is often common in families. And then the daughters found themselves repeating the mother's mistakes, all culminating in one big event that ultimately changed the course of their family legacy.

I won't go further because I don't want to spoil the fun of reading this book, but it truly was a wonderful read.

3.5⭐️
🎧audiobook version. I didn’t find the voices very distinctive between Isobel and Ruth.
A new author to me.
Isobel left home suddenly at 16, returning 15 years later with a teenage son in tow. Only returning as she had no where else to go.

It starts really slowly. I nearly gave up. For half of the book very little actually happens. It is told from Ruth, the mother and Isobel ( the daughter)perspective.

It didn’t really grab me, I found the twists and reveals a bit predictable, coupled with an unrealistic coincidental meeting.
I didn’t find any of the characters likeable. I struggled to engage with them.
Ruth is Ruthless, a nasty individual!
Isobel is overly trusting and naive, and sometimes irritating. She is desperately trying to help Issac, but failing. No one is trustworthy, everyone has their own agenda. It uses the tropes of poor communication and secrets to drive the plot.
I felt sorry for Issac, but he also feels unreliable.
The ending is stronger with more interest and pace which increased my rating.

This started of very slow and I wasn't sure but then it started getting going.

The story revolves around family dynamics and the school known as the square.

The narration really suited the story and characters.

I am glad that I did continue to listen and I would fully recommend.

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

It was a psychological thriller with a lot of drama. The girl returns home after 15 years and is not alone. He has a son. Her mother is the headmistress of a school that is forever in her family. She made some mistakes as she thought, but when she thinks her life is better, it’s all upside down again. It was nice to hear how the grandson and she connected. Unfortunately, something happens to him and no one knows who hurt him. There are many secret connections from the past and present. There are many sad things that are hard to understand. And there’s not just a bad man from the past, there’s someone closer and more dangerous.

Thank you Netgalley.com and Bookuture Audio for this audio.