Member Reviews
Shalini Boland has penned another great domestic thriller with a killer twist in the middle that turns everything on its side! You think you know what's going on but wow, oh wow is it ever a case of things are never as they appear.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
Caroline and Seb return to the UK to his family's busy Country pub after a whirlwind romance and marriage. Still in their honeymoon bubble, they are faced with scepticism from Seb's family. Why is Caroline so keen to give up her life in Australia to move to the other side of the world to marry a man she barely knows? Has Seb made a hasty decision to heal his broken heart. As the family close ranks, Caroline finds herself on the outside looking in, she begins to question herself: how can you know your husband's secrets when you barely know him at all?
I really enjoyed this book. The main character Caroline is an intriguing and believable character and although you question her hasty decision to marry Seb after only three weeks, you do feel she is a genuine and trustworthy character. She finds herself in some uncomfortable situations with her Seb's family questioning her motives immediately so you're immediate reaction is to feel sympathy for her.
The book cleverly examines the dynamics of family and how marrying into the family means you have to pass certain tests to be fully accepted - I felt this was very realistic of family life.
The latter part of the book has some very unexpected twists and although I attempted to make guesses throughout the book, the direction the books goes in was ever and gripping. I really enjoyed it.
Shalini Boland is certainly a go-to for psychological thrillers that keep you guessing!
Thank you to Shalini Boland, Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication.
I've not yet read a book by Shalini Boland that I didn't enjoy, and. The Daughter in Law is yet another one to add to the list. Newly wed Caroline arrives in the UK from Australia with husband Sebastian who is keen to introduce her to his family. They run the successful Royal Oak pub in the Dorset village of Stalbridge. From the beginning, there are tensions between Caroline and new mother in law Lillian. It's also not long before Caroline discovers Sebastian has been keeping a major secret from her, one that has serious repercussions for their relationship.
The picture perfect Royal Oak, run by the Fletcher family is a successful business. Lillian and husband Brian and their staff make sure customers are well looked after. Caroline soon finds herself at odds with several individuals, damaging an already fragile relationship with Lillian, who feels her behaviour threatens the harmony of both their family and business. Written from both Caroline and Lillian's viewpoints, it's interesting to get the mother in law's perspective. She's not all bad. Fussy maybe. Suspicious definitely, and protective of her sons Felix and Sebastian. The on-line romance between Seb and Caroline followed by their wedding only 3 weeks after he flew to meet Caroline in Australia, has alarm bells ringing.
It's an addictive read, never letting up as Caroline tries to settle in with the family. Sebastian's secret, one he won't talk about, means she begins to turn to other people for answers. But revealing her own secret to one of the family soon puts her in danger.
A brilliant read! There were so many twists, turns and surprises I was glued to my Kindle, and I don't often say that.
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I would like to thank Shalini Boland, Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of The Daughter in Law in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommended
I always enjoy books by this author - Books around family dynamics are particularly interesting - This book explores the relationship between mother and her sons - his second wife will never be good enough - There were lots of twists and turns around "whodunnit" The last 20% of the book was fast paced. A good read.
Seb Fletcher has just returned home to the family run pub in Stalbridge, Dorset from a holiday in Australia and has brought back more than your standard souvenir with him, he has a new wife in tow. In fact Caroline is the reason he went there in the first place, they met online and have been getting to know each other virtually for the last few months, then within weeks of meeting her, they are hitched! Seb's family are shocked, but in particular his mum Lilian who takes an instant dislike to Caroline and doesn't hide the fact either, she's certain there's more to her new daughter in law than she's letting on, and she could be right as Caroline has secrets of her own...
The Daughter in Law is set in the beautiful county of Dorset and is the latest domestic thriller by Boland. This latest story is told from multiple perspectives of some of the main characters. Right from the prologue this story hits the ground running, it's an authentic plot with some great characters and I was on the fence for much of the book as to whose side I was on, Lillian was the typical over protective mother, Seb just seemed too good to be true and there was something about Caroline that I couldn't put my finger on. As with all this authors books you know there's going to be some great twists and she certainly didn't disappoint this time round either. Boland is one of a few authors whose books I will reach for without reading the blurb because I know every single time that I'm in for a real treat and this one was no exception. If you like a book that is intense from the start and will keep you guessing throughout then this is one for you!
I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
I was hooked from the start of this arc which i kindly received from net galley.
Ive loved other books by Shalini Boland and this was no exception, just when you think you know whats going on there is another twist. I definitely did not see that ending coming
4 stars
Another great thriller by Author Shalini Boland who never disappoints! Caroline meets handsome Sebastian Fletcher on line and, after meeting in person six months later, they get married after two weeks. Caroline lives in Australia and they return to live with Seb's parents in England where the family runs a pub/restaurant. Seb's mother, Lillian, is very standoffish towards Caroline as is his sister-in-law Nicki. There are lots of surprises in this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover. Overall, it is a great quick read.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this page-turner that I really enjoyed from start to finish.
This grips you right from the prologue, who is on the ground and who is standing above?
This was a very fast-paced story and is relatively short, but you feel as if you are getting the whole picture and nothing drags.
You really feel for Caroline with how her in-laws acted when they met her. She’s in a foreign country and far from everything familiar to her, and to top it all off, everyone seems out to get her. Seb really annoyed me; he was so oblivious to anything. Talk about having your head in the sand; he was so far in that it was practically popping back out in Australia! He was unsupportive of Caroline, and I was getting angry on her behalf.
As the story progressed, I started to wonder about Caroline and her motives. There was just something not adding up, and I was quite happy when I guessed correctly! However, I hadn’t imagined all the ins and outs of the story, so it still made for a great read.
This was a classic chewing gum for the brain read. You can just sit back, relax, and know you will get a good and fulfilling ending.
This is the second time this author has managed to get me out of a Psych Thriller slump this year. It doesn’t seem to matter how many books she brings out in a year; it isn’t affecting her performance. So, bring on the next one!
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Shalini Boland's tense domestic thriller THE DAUGHTER IN LAW.
Wowsers! This has to be one of my favourite Shalini books to date! But then there are so many. But THE DAUGHTER IN LAW is a different tale and the setting in complete contrast with previous thrillers. I absolutely loved the whole cosy pub setting and felt like I was in an episode of Midsomer Murders there. I could picture the thatched roof, the cosy fireplace, the character-filled rooms with beamed ceilings and the warmth of the booths whilst outside the snow pelted against the heritage listed window panes. That pub alone was the winning aspect of the entire tale...but the plot was just as twisted and deliciously so. As only Shalini does.
Seb Fletcher arrives home after a three week holiday in Australia but with he brings a special souvenir - a wife, Caroline. Needless to say, his family are shocked. His parents Lilian and Brian are speechless and, well, less than thrilled. But, it is what it is and they must move on. Or do they?
Lilian is sure that Caroline isn't all that she appears to be and she sets about keeping her eyes open, keen to prove her suspicions. How can two people meet, fall in a love and just know they are the one to spend the rest of their lives with after just three weeks? And given her son's history she isn't at all sure he knows quite what he's doing. But maybe Caroline does.
Caroline is keen to prove to her in-laws that she loves their son and wants only to make him happy. But the tension between her and Lilian is rife from the outset making them all living together above the pub somewhat uncomfortable. Having managed a bar back in Byron Bay, Caroline eases into her new role as waitress in the pub's restaurant, handling customers with friendliness and ease. Until one of them gets a little too handsy and she puts him back in his place. Unfortunately, Lilian spotted the altercation and steps in to soothe the situation, dismissing Caroline from her duties for the rest of the day. As she makes her way to the staircase leading to their private resident upstairs, Caroline cannot miss the smirk on waitress Mariah's face. Did she set her up?
Things only go from bad to worse as tensions continue to bristle between the family. It is obvious that Lilian doesn't approve of her new daughter in law and Caroline can't seem to put a foot right with her. It seems that Seb and his father are continually trying to put out the fires that appear to ignite between the two women. Is this really just a case of jealousy over a mother's son and his new wife? Or is there something more sinister at play?
Almost from the beginning, it is clear that almost everyone appears to have a hidden agenda. Just exactly who can we trust? It seems there are secrets and lies flying all about and everyone is just a little bit economic with the truth.
The dual narratives from Caroline and Lilian gives the reader two vastly different perspectives in the way that they see each other...as well as the intense power struggle going on. It is clear neither trusts the other. Interspersed throughout are the narratives of sisters Amy and Michelle with no real clue as to how they fitted into this somewhat dysfunctional story. It certainly added a bit of mystery...though it wasn't difficult to figure out. I guess I read so many of these types of thrillers that I learn to look in places others don't. I don't expect the expected but rather the unexpected.
Shalini Boland is one of my favourite go-to authors and I am never disappointed with one of her fast paced thrillers. I loved the atmosphere she created with the pub setting which is so different from her more domestic settings but I loved it! What I also loved is she brought a little bit of my home into the story - Australia (though I'm not from Byron Bay). I am always thrilled when I see Australia referred to or written into a story somewhere. It seems Brits have a something of a love affair with my country! lol
And as usual, Shalini doesn't disappoint with her deliciously twisted reads that are fun, entertaining and fast paced throughout. I read this in one sitting! And as always, she leaves us with a bit of a twist at the end...one that I didn't see coming but that makes oh so perfect sense in hindsight.
Overall, THE DAUGHTER IN LAW is an addictive cat and mouse twist filled read that is fast and compelling throughout. I loved every minute of it and it is by far one of my favourites of hers to date. I think this is about my tenth book by her and never in a million years will it be my last...lol Keep them coming!!
I would like to thank #ShaliniBoland, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheDaughterInLaw in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Shalini Boland is a master. Everyone needs this page-turner in their library. What an ending that I did not see coming!!
Wow what a read I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. There’s a saying marry in haste and repent at leisure. Well Caroline and Seb didn’t hang about getting married 3 weeks after meeting. They met online and Seb left his family home in Dorest to fly round the world to meet Caroline in Byron Bay Australia. Bringing his new bride home to the family pub to live and work isn’t without teething problems. One of the staff has a huge crush on Caroline’s new husband and doesn’t make things easy at work. This fast paced book has twists and turns galore as this so called happy family starts to unravel. I can highly recommend this book if you like psychological thrillers
Oh my word, what a story!
The Daughter-in-Law had me intrigued from the description alone and I simply flew through the pages. It is full of twists and turns that I did not see coming and a fantastically shocking ending. I really love Shalini Boland and everything I have read by her I have enjoyed. I highly recommend The Daughter-in-Law.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.
Shalini Boland is a skilled author who makes sharp twists and turns and keeps the reader hooked. This book is no exception. However, for some reason unknown to myself, I figured out the plot early on, which I usually do not. I like the premises of a restaurant and the whole dysfunctional family living above or next to the restaurant, because that just sounds like trouble.
The characters in the book are vivid and I just had an instant like or dislike for these characters, or in a few cases a feeling that not everything is what it seems. Well, everyone had something they did not want others to know, but don't we all?
I read this book in two sittings since I wanted to know what everyone was hiding. I was surprised to find out that my mind is so devious that I knew what was going on in the characters' minds.
From the moment I met my new mother-in-law in her beautiful country house, she makes it clear I'm not welcome. Lilian Fletcher haters me for marrying her precious boy on a golden beach far away from her. Starting our marriage in the Fletcher's family home is a nightmare. Lilian's steely blue gaze follows me everywhere. Then the accidents start to happen, and I know she's behind them. It starts with small things like a dropped birthday cake, a spilt glass of wine. But then my mother-in-law accuses me of something terrible. This woman is determined to get me out of her son's life.
Seb and Caroline only knew each other for a few weeks when they get married. He had recently split up from his previous girlfriend and his parents think he has married on the rebound. Both Seb and Caroline have secrets and Caroline soon learns one of Seb's. Caroline is angry and determined to get some answers, but Seb is unwilling to give her a straight answer. Caroline has her own motives that she needs to find the answers to. With secrets, shocks, surprises and twists, I was totally hooked to this fast-paced read. The Fletcher family are dysfunctional. The story is told from Caroline's point of view. We also get chapters that are told from two sister's perspectives. This is a gripping page turner.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author ##shaliniBoland for my ARC of #TheDaughterInlaw in exchange for an honest review.
Caroline marries Seb and moves to the UK with him, moving in with his family. Immediately things are awkward with her mother-in-law who doesn't seem to trust her. Then it becomes apparent that Seb and the family are hiding secrets... but Caroline may just have some secrets of her own...
A thrilling story that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of secrets, shocks and twists and turns. A great read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture/Bookouture Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Shalini Boland - 4.5 stars rounded up because I couldn't stop listening and reading it. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Katie Villa, who seamlessly narrates both male and female voices - and there were quite a few characters in this book.
Seb had a brief online relationship with Caroline, flew to Australia to meet in person, then married her and returned home to England and his family pub. His parents greeted her with less than an enthusiastic welcome. Now the newlyweds are trying to get to know each other while living and working with his family. But everyone here is keeping secrets.
Go into this one as blind as possible - there are so many twists and turns right up until the last page. Shalini Boland is so good at creating tension and suspicion among her characters so you'll never see what's coming. Another fast-paced must read from this author!
I am enjoying this author, quick easy to read book, particularly like the different character reference to each chapter! Kept me on my toes and guessing! Will be back for more
Seb arrives home from a vacation in Australia with a new wife. His family is understandably shocked. However, the tension between his new wife and her mother-in-law is intense. Why exactly does Lillian dislike Caroline so much? It seems like no one likes Caroline, but why?
Shalini Boland delivers another amazing thriller! Boland has a way of drawing you in and making her main characters likable, which is not always the case with most thriller authors. I truly cared about Caroline and what happened to her. This book will keep you up late reading to find out why everyone despises Caroline so much. I was completely shocked by the twists and turns, which is surprising since I read so many thrillers. If you love thrillers, especially ones where the twists are not always obvious, then you must read this book!
This is a brilliant book full of heart stopping twists and turns.
It’s one of those books that actually stops you in your tracks and will have your heart pounding.
I can’t say too much as you need to discover the secrets and lies of the characters in this book to enjoy the full force of the story.
I can briefly say that Caroline moves to the UK from Australia as she has just married Seb. He takes her home to meet his family and, not knowing about the marriage, his mum is far from pleased.
They all run a pub together and as I’ve said there’s secrets being hidden that will always find a way to come out.
This is a brilliant book and one that I devoured in a few hours.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A great read full of different twists. I didn't see that coming. An addictive book that is easy to read. I couldn't put it down! Good storyline and plot that moves at a reasonably fast pace, realistic characters and decent plot. Thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review.