After reading this domestic thriller, I am certain that I will be looking for more Natalie Barelli reads!

Laura is engaged to Jack and for the past two years, she has been taking care of Jack’s daughter, Charlie, attempting to help her cope with Bronwyn’s absence in her life. Bronwyn is Charlie’s biological mother; she flew to Europe and moved in with a rich man, leaving both Jack and Charlie behind in Seattle. It took a long while but things already started to progress with Laura and her stepdaughter, until Bronwyn announces that she will be flying back for Charlie’s birthday, with the intention to stay in Seattle for a few weeks.

Laura’s life starts to crumble after Bronwyn’s arrival. She feels that Charlie and Jack are starting to drift away from her due to the alluring pull of Jack’s ex-wife. Laura’s pangs of jealousy will eventually lead her to do things that she otherwise would not have done. This, we need to understand: Is Bronwyn sabotaging Laura’s family life, or is this just paranoia that’s coming from Laura’s mind?

I really didn’t know what to believe in - and this makes Unforgivable so exciting!

Aside from the twisty plot that this novel offers, these are some other things that I enjoyed:
- Smooth story flow - I enjoyed the simplicity of this novel which was entirely narrated by Laura and had a single timeline. There were a few references to the past but these were part of Laura’s first person recollection.
- Laura’s relationship with Charlie - One thing remained certain all throughout the novel: Laura loves Charlie deeply.
- Laura’s work life - While being a stepmom to Charlie, Laura is also working as an art gallery curator. Her career isn’t just a backdrop for the story; it was weaved well into the plot.
- The wild ending!

This novel was extremely satisfying. 5 SOLID STARS! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me access to an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really fantastic rollercoaster of a book. So easy to read and so gripping, that I finished it in a day.
In the beginning I didn't really like Laura too much, as soon as Bronwyn comes to see her daughter Charlie (Laura's soon to be step daughter) I started to really dislike her. She was basically a door mat who let Bronwyn treat her like crap, in her own home. Yes she did used to live there, but that gave her no right to be a bitch! Jack never stood up for Laura either, which really annoyed me too and of course I hated Bronwyn too, especially for the way she treated her young daughter, trying to turn her into someone or something she wasn't.

What was fascinating for me was as the story develops you start to realise that all these opinions and notions you have on each person, is actually possibly wrong. The whole thing is very twisted and there are seriously some messed up people out there.
I was really rooting for Laura in the end and wanting certain people to get their comeuppance, but it does actually take you a while to realise who the bad guys really are.

A fantastically gripping dramatic plot, with a very entertaining ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was unputdownable! All the Stars.

I've read all of this Authors novels and I believe she gets better with each one. Go in blind and read, read, read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#Unforgivable #NetGalley
ENJOYED IT FULLY. 5 🌟
Well, where do I start? This was a hell of a ride. One thing I'd like to mention before coming to my review is that Bronwyn was such a nasty characters. She's a bitch. I couldn't stand her even in the book. But at the same time she was the main psychological elements in the book.
Laura is a perfect stepmom to Charlie, a little girl whose actual mom left her father, Jack after accusing him of cheating on her, to another man. She also signed some papers so that Jack can marry Laura.
Bronwyn decided to stay in Laura's house and showered Charlie with lots of gifts.
But one day something terrible happened. Who's responsible?
Each character has a shade. Especially Laura and Bronwyn. It is a psychological thriller which has best settings and characters. Loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advance copy.

Jack’s wife, Bronwyn, leaves him and their daughter, Charlie. Perfect for Laura to offer support and be part of their lives. Now engaged, Bronwyn walks back in! Secrets, revenge - it starts out a bit slow, but this had me guessing til the end! Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a gifted copy.

Why don’t partners listen? Why do the women have to insist? The almost ex is not a nice person in this book…to say the least…however, the almost ex husband is not convinced…the story is a cannot put down mystery…just guessing at what happens is confusing at times…however, this talented and gifted author lays it all out…to a resounding ending…despite moving somewhat slowly, this is a great tale of what can happen in a marriage…it is also a warning for others to refrain from getting involved until the ink is dry on the divorce papers. Don’t even think about all three living in the same house…that just brings on more complications…add a child into the mix… chaos…this book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…thanks to the publisher..I enjoyed this book from beginning to end…

Omg! I don't even know where to start! First off, I was so frustrated with the husband throughout this book, sometimes you want to get inside a book and just shake them, lol. We can not forget to mention Bronwyn! She is such a b*tch! I seriously could not stand her!

Such a wonderfully written book! I love when an author writes a book that gives you so many emotions and makes you feel connected to the characters.

I highly recommend this book. I also loved the suspense throughout!

Description:
Your ex-wife didn’t leave you because of me. She didn’t abandon her little girl because of a couple of love notes in your jeans pocket. She left because she’s twisted, and she wanted to punish you. And she’s not finished yet. You have to believe me. If you don’t, there’s no knowing what she’ll do next…

Becoming a stepmother is the best thing that ever happened to me. My favorite part of every day is picking Charlie up from school, watching her little rucksack bounce behind her as she skips over for a hug. I love the feel of those thin freckled arms around my waist. After a few rocky months of panic attacks when her mother deserted her, Charlie is flourishing. But the day Charlie’s mother Bronwyn returns without warning—showering Charlie with gifts and making promises she can’t keep—fear ripples through me.

When I raise my concerns, no one wants to listen. I know I sound like the jealous new wife, but nothing is more important to me than Charlie’s safety. Me and Bronwyn have history. We both have dark secrets in our past, and I know the dangerous lengths she will go to get what she wants.

But Bronwyn doesn’t know me as well as I know her.

She doesn’t know just how far I will go to protect that little girl…

Jack’s wife, Bronwyn, leaves him and their daughter, Charlie. Perfect for Laura to give support and be part of their lives. Now engaged, Bronwyn walks back in. Secrets, revenge - it starts out a bit slow, but this had me guessing til the end! Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a gifted copy.

Just when things were going great for Laura and Jack and Jack’s daughter Charlie, Jack’s soon to be ex-wife Bronwyn comes to stay to visit her daughter. Laura was intimidated by Bronwyn because she was beautiful, charming and a bad part of her past. The two did not get along and seemed to be both trying to win over Charlie’s affection. Laura felt pushed aside as Jack and Bronwyn started to do family things with Charlie without her. It drove her crazy . She concocted a plan that she felt would get rid of Bronwyn once and for all. Her insecurities drove her to do some horrible things, but she wasn’t the only one scheming and planning a surprise! Sometimes the thoughts in your head are your worst enemy. The twists and turns in this book will shock and delight. The characters were all very flawed but it made for juicy reading that I was completely engrossed in from the beginning to the end. This was definitely an enjoyable read.

Yet another stunning novel from Natalie Barelli. She creates
characters that truly get under your skin, while at the same time
you empathize them as the story unfolds. This book is a page
turner that will have you staying up WAY too late to finish. Once
the plot comes together, this book grabs you and won't let you
go until the bitter end
I'm already looking forward to the next Barelli book to devour! Is
Cozy Psychological Thriller a genre? Because Barelli nails it
every time.
Thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for this ARC. It was a
pleasure to give it an early read through!

Wow! What an intense thrill ride. The action just never stopped! Loved this psychological thriller by Natalie Barelli, can’t wait to read more. Loved all of the twists and turns this book has to offer.
Highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Natalie Barelli has quickly become a favorite author of mine!

Laura is stepmother to a little girl named Charlie, whose mother, Bronwyn left her to be with another man after accusing her husband, Jack of cheating on her. Bronwyn is an uncaring, absent mother who decides to visit Charlie and finally sign divorce papers so Jack can marry Laura. Once Bronwyn arrives to stay with Laura and Jack in their home, she starts a campaign to make Laura look bad and unstable to her friends and coworkers.

This book is a psychological thriller at its finest. The author does a great job of creating dread as you flip through the pages reading what Laura must endure at the hands of Bronwyn. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake Laura so many times for putting up with all the abuse from Bronwyn. Bronwyn was truly a nasty character! And the conclusion! So shocking and satisfying!

I started this by the pool on a Sunday, and I did not go inside until I was finished. Make sure you clear you day for this one! It’s truly the definition of unputdownable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my eARC.

My Review:
Enjoyed!!!! What a fast paced easy read this was. There was a surprise at every corner. I never knew what was going to happen next. I got so immersed with all the characters and their story that I lost track of time. One minute it was breakfast then all of a sudden it was time for dinner. What didn’t I like about this book is the real question. All the characters were shifty and you never knew who or what to believe. The story line was interesting and kept you wanting more. Then there was that awesome ending that shocked you. What more could you ask for in a book. This author did such a wonderful job and I can’t wait to read her next one.

In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 4 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️

This is a good psychological thriller which
an ending will actually give you creeps. Quick read I read it in one day. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

“Unforgivable” is a thriller by Natalie Barelli. I found the beginning part of this book a bit slow moving, though it was setting up the plot and giving backstory. I liked that Laura was the point-of-view Ms. Barelli selected, though it would’ve been a wild ride coming from Bronwyn. It took me a long time to warm up to Laura, however, as she seemed to be like a doormat - ignoring red flags, jumping to conclusions, and so meek I wanted to request that she grow a spine. However I loved the devotion she showed to Charlie, her soon-to-be step-daughter - and I have to admit, Charlie stole my heart at times. This book had a number of twists and turns that even when I thought I figured out who done it (and I was correct on the why) there’s always that final little twist that made me go “huh, okay, that was a bit out of left field.” Enjoyable quick read, once things got moving.

I love every one of Natalie Barelli’s psychological thrillers. She is the Queen of nasty turns and mind blowing twists. Even better, her protagonist usually has a distinctly dark sense of humour and they make the sharpest of comments and acutely funny mental thoughts. Here we have a woman, Laura, spinning. Firstly in love, then in shock, then in fear and through it all we scream at the characters with the exception of one adorable little girl called Charlie. Just a warning. Once you start you don’t stop until you finish.

Okay, I did like this book but I didn’t love it. It started out a bit slow and was a bit predictable. That said I’d still recommend it!

This is the first of Natalie Barelli booked that I have read, I was impressed great writing style full of twists and turns. Thrilling from the start. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

This is the first book I've read by Natalie Barelli. I've wanted to try her books after seeing Freida McFadden name her as one her favourite authors.

I picked it up blind with no expectations.

The first thing that hit me was the style, I was reminded of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth. I really enjoy their light and easy domestic drama style, with humour and sharp edges, well this book is funnier, sharper and edgier.

The plot revolves around Laura, fiancé to Jack and stepmom to his daughter Charlie. When Jack's ex-wife, Charlie's mother Bronwyn announces she's coming to stay, Laura is filled with insecurities and anxious dread.

Laura's anxiety quickly grows into jealousy and paranoia, not knowing who she can trust, even doubting herself.

The pacing and acceleration is just perfect, and before you know it you're swept along for a fast, frantic and twisting thriller.

I loved it, the characters, style, pacing, plotting and twists are so well done.

Hugely enjoyable and definitely recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture

I absolutely was on the edge of my seat reading this book until the last page. This book has a really original plot and I was immediately swept into it. I enjoyed it!