Lottie's finally pregnant! She's thrilled. And then she finds a body in the basement. What is her husband Nick hiding? No spoilers from me about this domestic thriller that takes some good turns,. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, Byatt's got good storytelling skills,

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so thrown off, I never saw it coming.

The book has a few storyline going on at the same time. It's up to us the reader to link the incomplete pieces together. Lottie and Nick are trying to have a baby. Nick promoted a younger, split image version personal secretary version of Lottie. Mystery girl sets her eyes on Nick and won't quit till she succeeds. Lottie goes for a last chance to attempt to fix her marriage, instead, what she discovers is a nightmare instead.

A flurry of characters, a cleverly weaved plot and a story that will make you assess and re-assess who you believe and who you don’t….
One particular character had me fuming, the author created a monster, single minded, narcissistic and well I will say no more on her or anything that happens, it’s one of those books that will keep you guessing and pondering but any slip of the story could give something away
Really explosive psychological thriller with the ability to shock and surprise and as many of us hardened PT lovers will know it’s not always an easy thing to do.

10/10
5 Stars

A good thriller is a book that will stay on your mind, long after you finish the last page

The Younger Woman does just yet! Even when I had closed the ebook, I kept thinking about this story and I know I will read this again in the future!

The Younger Woman is an exciting, twisty domestic thriller. Lottie is hoping that a weekend away celebrating their anniversary and her husband's birthday will be just what they need to get their relationship back on track. Whether from the failed IVF attempts or work stress, things have been a bit icy between her and Nick. At least Lottie hopes it's because of one of those things; she really hopes their marriage isn't on the rocks because of Nick's new assistant. While at the cottage, Lottie shares some exciting news, and as she searches for champagne to celebrate, she stumbles upon a body. Now, Lottie not only is worried about her relationship but also is terrified that her husband may be hiding way darker secrets.

The author uses some very creative writing techniques, and, for me, the big reveal at the end was well-written and well-pulled-off. There are quite a lot of characters (most of whom are unlikeable), which gets a bit confusing towards the latter half of the book. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Younger Woman and would recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping thriller with lots of twists.

Well halfway done with this book I started reading reviews to see what others thought of this gradebook… Because I thought wow this is a great book! And while reading reviews and seeing everyone’s ambivalent opinion about it I thought well my opinion Jews leave the odd man out so no worries because at that point I loved the book but then I finished it and what a colossal thought this author has played on her readers. I will not give any spoilers away but OMG for one thing who the Hell is Ruth‘s sister because in the book it was said that she was too totally different people sister one of them being loddy but then at the end of the book they say she’s someone completely different sister and it’s no way she could be both these people sister. Then throughout the whole book you’re like oh this person is it what a nasty person OMG I can’t stand her only to find out no oh there’s nothing wrong with that person she’s totally nice and completely dating someone else!! Then I thought well wait maybe I thought bad of that person because of all of Lottie‘s paranoia… So I went back and read a whole chapter about how this person was basically a nasty person. The saddest thing is this would’ve definitely been a five star read because I was so consumed with this book until the frauds the author perpetrated on me and other readers was revealed. You can’t call Beth a twist because throughout the whole book you thinking one thing not because of great writing oh no it’s because of all the NU window and the the time lapse and a whole new story line came up I just I’m over it I’m so angry. Every author could put such twists in their books if they would just make some innocuous character into a devious manipulative dysfunctional person in the last chapter of the book and then give everyone involved five different names so you can make the scenario fit at the last moment. This was a fraud and totally disappointing. I feel this book is so upsetting it’s just makes me so angry I feel like the The author tried to pull a fast one but you cannot create a scenario out of whole cloth and then sit there like look at it isn’t that brilliant look at the brilliant twist I put in the book that is not a twist that’s a whole new scenario. I am so angry what a waste of my time. I received this book from Net galley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Rating: 3.5/4

Having been impressed by Mandy Byatt's debut novel, "Just Another Liar", I was always going to make sure that I came back for book two - and I am glad that I did.

I will deliberately avoid going into detail about the plot. The author has clearly been at pains to construct the novel and make use of certain literary devices in order to achieve a certain effect. That being the case, it would be churlish of me to undermine that by not allowing other readers to go on the desired voyage of discovery themselves. However, what I can say is that Mandy Byatt once again displays her ability to create effortlessly readable fiction. As had been in evidence in her debut novel, the writer once again excels with her characterisation. The protagonists are consistently well-painted and believable, as well as being suitably distinct from one another. This is supported and enhanced by well-penned dialogue that is very natural and appropriate for the characters in question.

Although Mandy Byatt already seems very much at home with these aspects of her writing, I sense that she is still experimenting with other stylistic elements while she seeks to find her own clear identity. "Just Another Liar" demonstrated influences of noir fiction, whereas facets of the plot progression in this one put me in mind (at different points) of 19th century dramatic fiction and (particularly towards the end) the style of Adele Parks. I have a feeling that Mandy Byatt's best work is still to come as she finds a fully rounded writing identity of her own.

In the meantime, "The Younger Woman" has plenty of enjoyable content for regular readers of the genre. There are twists, that you may or may not see coming and some well-handled misdirection. The plotting has been properly thought through and the various threads are neatly tied by the time the novel comes to its conclusion. That said, I felt that certain elements were a bit close to the mark with regard to stretching credulity. Personally, I think that Mandy Byatt's first novel was a little stronger overall than this one, but this is still very enjoyable, with much to recommend it and I have no doubt I will be back for book three.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Lottie and her husband Nick Moore are visiting Nick’s parents’ holiday cottage to celebrate Lottie’s and Nick’s ten-year anniversary. Soon after they arrive at the cottage, Lottie breaks the news to her husband that she’s pregnant. Filled with excitement Nick heads to the village for champagne but an hour later and Nick is not back yet from getting the champagne. What Lottie discovers next will blow your mind. Lottie unintentionally discovers a woman's dead body in the basement. a female who remarkably resembles Lottie. Who is the killer, and what does this mean for their marriage?

**Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an arc in exchange for an honest review**

A twisty and truly unputdownable thriller, focusing on a young couple dealing with the stress of infertility, when their luck seems to have turned, but is it truly for the better?

A really good suspenful story. I read it really fast as I just had to know what happened. The twist blew me away. Absolutely brilliant xx

If you're looking for twists and turns and a reveal you could never have guessed, well, this might just be what you're looking for. As for me, it was all too much. Too many characters, too many plot threads, too many coincidences...

The final reveal is so ridiculously far fetched that I violently flung the book away from me (metaphorically speaking - I love my Kindle!) in frustration.

My thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon UK for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
I found this to be mostly boring with every character unlikeable. There was a lot of dialogue which at times was difficult to figure out who was speaking. The action didn't pick up until more than 3/4 of the way through, the big reveal wasn't much of a surprise, and the ending felt rushed. Can't say I'd recommend this one.

This book starts out great but somewhere midway it slows way down and I was ready to throw in the towel. Lottie and her husband Nick plan a vacation for his birthday and Nick leaves and she finds a “body” in the basement. Let’s add multiple characters to the story and I found myself totally confused who was doing what but about 75%, it picked up speed again and then I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published February 2023.

Lottie and Nick's marriage has been faltering after failed attempts to get pregnant and Lottie's jealousy about the new, attractive younger woman hired at Nick's firm. When Lotttie discovers she's pregnant, she decides a weekend getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick's birthday is an ideal time to give him the happy news. But when he heads off to buy a bottle of champagne the lights go off and Lottie goes down to the cellar to find the fuse box. She finds a bottle of champagne already there but that's not the end of the surprises.... there's the body of a woman who looks a lot like Lottie! What is going on? Who is this woman? Who killed her? What is she doing there? A suspenseful page-turned with one whopper of a twist.

The Younger Woman is suspenseful and tense as you would imagine from the title. Forty somethings married Lottie and Nick go to a secluded country cottage to celebrate Nick's birthday. Their greatest desire is to have a child but nothing has worked, even IVF treatments. But Lottie has a big surprise for Nick. However, she is in for a surprise as well. Down in the cellar she makes a discovery, one which dredges up the past. Nick's new assistant at work is like Lottie looking into a mirror twenty years ago which causes Lottie to start asking questions. Skeletons which had been buried deep into closets start popping out, some in the form of deception. In fact, there is a lot of deception going on.

Mandy Byatt writes many twists into this sharp and snappy novel. Most of the characters are unlikeable so though I wasn't emotionally invested, the writing and tension roped me in. The ending left me a bit befuddled as to who was really who but I do enjoy surprises!

Those Thriller/Suspense readers who appreciate anxiety-inducing novels ought to read this one.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this arresting book.

#TheYoungerWoman #NetGalley
Awesome book.
Lottie and Nick once had a dream marriage, but a series of failed IVF attempts has left Lottie feeling insecure, and her paranoia is further stoked by the arrival of a new starter at Nick’s firm. Nuala is the spitting image of a younger, more attractive Lottie, and Nick is paying her a lot of attention… But then Lottie discovers she’s pregnant. A surprise getaway to their country cottage to celebrate Nick’s birthday will provide the perfect backdrop to give him the news and start to heal the rifts in their relationship. Then, on the eve of Nick’s birthday, Lottie goes into the cellar, and what she finds makes her question everything.
Because there, in the corner of the cellar, is the body of a young woman.
A young woman who looks just like Lottie…
It was a good story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me an advance copy.

This book gripped me from the first page! When Lottie and her husband have a getaway to celebrate his birthday and their anniversary, she discovers the body of a woman in the basement who looks like the beautiful young woman who recently started working for her husband. The backstory to this has lots of twists and turns - did he cheat? Can their marriage be saved?

The twists in this book were ones I did not see coming, and for that reason I give this 4/5 stars ⭐️

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!

Lottie and her husband Nick Moore are in Fairview, Nick’s parents’ holiday cottage to celebrate Lottie’s and Nick’s ten-year anniversary.

Soon after they arrive at the cottage, Lottie breaks the news to her husband that she’s pregnant. Filled with excitement Nick heads to the village for champagne 🍾. An hour later and Nick is not back yet from getting the champagne. Lottie is frantic with worry.

While waiting for her husband to get back, the fuse blows up and the house is plunged into darkness. Lottie heads down to the cellar to look for the fuse box. She sights a bottle of champagne 🍾 sitting on one of the shelves in the cellar.

When she goes to retrieve the bottle, she discover a body of a young woman hidden under a tarpaulin. The young woman looks just like Lottie. How did she get there and was she murdered?

Overall an interesting thriller. Would recommend.

Thank you to Mandy Byatt, NetGalley and Avon for the arc of this book.

A gripping thriller, that starts off with great suspense. The back story was a little long in places, but entertaining. I didn't see the twist coming at all! I'm still a little confused about some aspects of the ending so I rate this 6/10.

Such a fluid, easy read!

Loaded with realistic dialogue and vicious, awful people, I was entertained and transfixed from Page On!

I very highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.