This was quite an easy and enjoyable read, although it was also predictable and pretty far-fetched.

Will and Jessica's lack of communication was incredibly frustrating... but realistic! I don't think the overall consequences were realistic but I really appreciated the ladder of inference explained by S.E. Lynes as I think that is a common occurence.

I found Will particularly frustrating; he was so easily led and he was really quick to find a way to turn it around on Jessica and feel angry with her so he didn't have to take any accountability for anything he'd done or the impact his actions had on his family.

I quite liked how Jessica was portrayed as a strong woman who had a high-pressure job and a young family to juggle. I think the author made a clear reference to the double standards in society when it comes to this. Some of the school mums seemed to think Will was amazing for being a stay at home dad whilst simultaneously judging Jessica for working instead of being at the school gates every day. If it had been the other way round, nobody would have batted an eyelid.

Instead of portraying Jessica as some kind of superwoman, I appreciated that it was shown to be hard work and that she often felt that she wasn't coping with juggling everything, and that most people are in the same position where they're just trying their best to stay afloat. I also liked that she did struggle more without Will as it's a nod of recognition to how much work a stay at parent does put in and I did wonder if Will was right about being taken for granted. (I didn't want him to be right because he had a bit of a whiny "poor me" attitude and a lack of accountability that got my back up... but he probably was right. It's hard to be sure because we didn't see their life before these events.)

Even if I found the overall storyline unbelievable and Ian was a strong part of that, he was a good character. It's interesting to see how when somebody dresses the right way and talks the right way, they can draw people in.

Some of Lena's behaviour near the beginning rang alarm bells for me but I felt sorry for her by the end. I'd have liked to have seen more of her and how it all unfolded to get her to the position she ended up in.

I liked the writing style but felt the story was quite drawn out; it was a bit of a slog at times, especially when I'd figured out where it was going early on and it was still a long way to go to get to the conclusion.

Overall, I enjoyed it, I just wish it was a little more believable and less predictable. I didn't completely dislike all of the characters though which was a refreshing change as I've not been having much luck with the characters in my book choices lately!

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date 8th March. Another cracking book by S.E Lynes. This book had me on the edge of my seat throughout; it had many twists and turns that made it impossible to put down! WOW what an ending I thought I had guessed but I was completely wrong! 😊

Initially, I liked the character of Ian but as the book progressed and his identify was revealed I began to dislike him extremely fast! I loved the characters of Jessica and Will I found myself at times praying that things would work out for them.

Overall, yet another fantastic and thought- provoking novel by S.E Lynes this would be great made into a tv series. I’d highly recommend everyone to read this book and if you don’t you are missing out!😊 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

This suspenseful story opens on a happy marriage anniversary celebration between a husband and wife. However, the following day, the wife receives a shocking photo message from a friend depicting her husband walking hand-in-hand with another woman and also being physically intimate. When confronted, the husband evasively claims, "It's not what you think," refusing to explain.

As the story progresses, tensions escalate. The wife senses she's being watched and that her husband is acting like a stranger, making her feel she can no longer trust him. She desperately wants to uncover the truth behind the many photos and who sent them. There's a glimmer of hope that the husband is telling the truth, but the damage to their relationship may be beyond repair.

The mystery deepens around whether the wife truly knows her husband at all. As the secrets unravel, there's suspense about whether the final revelations will redeem or destroy their family.

This book has all the hallmarks of a taut psychological thriller. It plays upon relatable marital fears around betrayal and dishonesty. The alternation between the plot twists that affirm or challenge the husband's guilt will keep the readers guessing. Fans of domestic dramas and suspense thrillers will likely find this a quick, addictive read. The stakes feel intensely personal, as the wife and the children's safety prevails in the balance.

Overall, this psychological thriller will keep you guessing with its many unexpected twists and turns. The compelling mystery that Lynes has adeptly crafted will have you rapidly turning the pages to uncover the shocking conclusion. Fans of the thriller genre will find this book impossible to put down. With the story building to an explosive, jaw-dropping climax, this is a must-read page-turner bound to thrill the reader. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for an early copy of The Split. This truly showed the breakdown of a marriage, it was very sad to read because it happened so easily. The gaslighting from Ian was very uncomfortable to read, I could see it happening. Such a sad ending but what I took away from this was COMMUNICATE to all those who are important in your life. Such a well written book, very real. I hope we all can learn from this book, thank you again.

Publication date: March 8th, 2024
Page count: 358
Genre: domestic thriller
Setting: English town

Jessica believes that her marriage and family are great, until she receives pictures of her husband entering a hotel with another woman. Due to their lack of communication- much happens and much is revealed.

Trust. Revenge. Dark and twisty tale that I am glad I read!

Thank you to author, publisher, NetGalley for advanced copy. This is an honest voluntary review.

The end of our marriage was only the beginning…
Last night, we celebrated our anniversary. Over candlelight, we talked about the children, our work, and I was so happy, and felt so loved.
But the next morning, when I check my phone, there is a message. From a friend. And a string of photos appear of my husband, Will, with another woman: walking along the street holding hands. Going into fancy hotels. Standing at a window, his arms around her, her head on his shoulder…

Well this one definitely keeps you guessing, I thought I had it all worked out a few times but then discovered I was wrong. Just what I want in a book, I like to be able to question what is happening and then be thrown another curve ball that sends you down a different path. So who can you trust, and even when you think they have deserved this trust from them, are you right?

Great characters brilliantly portrayed and a plot that is incredibly strong and will keep you completely entertained. Will is a stay at home father who works as a life coach but Jessica puts in the long hours in an extremely high pressured role and financially brings the most to the relationship but are they able to face new challenges being presented before them together? Who is holding secrets that may risk the life they lead and will they be strong enough to fight what is ahead?

A very well put together book that I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to the next read by this fabulous author. thank you to Netgalley , the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

Another amazing book from my favourite in the genre. Lynes does psychological thrillers like no one else.
This time, we have a loving couple who grow increasingly estranged, instead of just sitting and listening to each other. How important is communication.
I have read all of her books, plus many others by other writers, so I almost figured out a couple of things early on. But only a couple. And not nearly enough. As ever, the last few chapters were a rollercoaster of emotions and full of twists and turns I absolutely did not expect.
Again, I am hugely grateful to NetGalley and Bookcouture for this ARC, which I absolutely recommend.
S. E. Lynes, you’re amazing. I’ll read your shopping list if you write one.

This gripping tale delves into the unraveling of a marriage, turning the celebration of an anniversary into a heart-wrenching journey of betrayal and deception. The author skillfully crafts a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering about the true nature of the photos and the secrets lurking beneath the surface.

The protagonist's desperation to uncover the truth adds layers of suspense, especially as the plot thickens with someone watching their house and the unraveling of the relationship. The uncertainty and distrust between the characters create a tense atmosphere, leaving readers questioning every revelation.

The exploration of trust, betrayal, and the impact on a family is both poignant and haunting. The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end, making it a must-read for those who enjoy psychological dramas with unexpected revelations.

I've been a fan of Ms Lynes' writing for a long time so I was excited to read this latest novel from her. Once again, I was totally engrossed in the writing and in the story. Possibly not my favourite of hers, but I did enjoy it and read to the satisfying conclusion..

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝.

This book did NOT go in the direction I predicted. I thought this was going to be a simple yet entertaining tale of a marriage dissolving, but I was in for so much more! The day after Jessica and Will celebrate their anniversary, someone calling themselves "a friend" sends her a string of photos via text of Will with another woman, each one more incriminating than the next. After a heated confrontation, Will says the good old, "It's not what you think," which gets him booted out of the house immediately.

Wallowing in self-pity, Will chats up a man at a bar. This man exudes an aura of wealth, wisdom, and quiet confidence. Will finds himself confiding in this stranger, and to his amazement, the man offers him a place to stay. Will can't believe his luck, especially when the man offers him the opportunity to earn some money by doing some errands for him. This is where things take a dark turn, but once again, it wasn't what I expected.

This was a classic tale of trust no one, keep your personal business to yourself, and by all means, communicate with your loved ones! A twisty good time that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this early read. This title will publish March 8, 2024.

Oh this was really good! I love a good thriller with twisted characters. I was shouting at the two main characters though, just talk to each other! With other people trying to ruin their relationship, this could all have been avoided if they had actually spoken to each other.
The story turns out way more complicated and darker than it first seems. I really enjoy this author's books, she writes a good tale!

I love this author but I found the long intro to this story really dull, and the outcome far too obvious. So sorry. I will still read this author going forward.

I really enjoyed this book and raced through in a couple of days.
The plot is very clever and I was sure I had guessed the ending, however it took me by surprise.
S.E Lynes is one of my favourite authors. I’ve read most of their books, but this is definitely one of the best.

A thrilling must read! After celebrating their anniversary, Jessica receives photos of her husband with another woman from am anonymous source. Will denies he is having an affair and their marriage begins to fall apart. Jessica doesn't know who sent the photos and now believes she is being followed. Lots of twists that kept me glued until the end.

This author of The Split is new to me. I liked the premise so requested the book. It seems I have an outlier opinion here.

Jessica and Will have 2 children. Jessica works a high power job while Will is a life coach and the main caregiver for the children. A bunch of photos are sent from an anonymous number to jessicas phone showing Will is up to some naughty business. She throws him out of the house, and leans on her best friend Lena. Will meets a guy in a bar who offers him lodging and appears to want to help him. Thus, the story begins.

First off, both protagonists are very clueless and annoying. Both of them need a good shake to wake them up. This story is so far featched I seriously got a headache from rolling my eyes. This was a slow burn. And when I say slow, I mean slow. I just can't do these slow burn books. I feel like I'm reading forever to get to 10 percent of the book that is good. I did like the writing style and think this author has talent. I will check out their other books. As for this one, it wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. I do recommend this book because it seems others really liked it.

A fantastic story and how trying to help someone can sometimes go wrong!

Will find himself thrown out by his wife, alone and drinking in a bar when he meets the mysterious Ian Robbins. Ian seems friendly, generous, and kind. Will is taken in by this and makes a huge error of judgement that puts his family in grave danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with it's many twists and gripping storyline, I found it hard to put down.

I'd like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

THE SPLIT
S.E. LYNES
The kids tucked in for the night, Will and Jessica spent a romantic evening celebrating their anniversary. The following day, someone sends Jessica photos of Will with another woman. He refuses to be honest with her and tells her it isn’t what she thinks. She throws him out of the house and desperately tries to find out who sent the photos. Is Will innocent of any wrongdoing? The story will keep you on the edge of your seat. After the secrets are finally revealed in this thrilling, gripping page turner, the question is whether the truth can save the family or will they be apart forever?
This book blew me away! I read it in one day and am looking forward to reading more of her work.

Wow I loved this book it’s such a great read filled with deception and thrills and not to be missed. When Jessica receives a text message showing her husband with another woman her life is ripped apart and as she tries to move on a new romance could be just what she needs but is everything as it seems and what exactly did her husband actually do. Can she trust anyone close to her?

Overall, the plot is intriguing. It may be a little predictable and slow, but it did have me wanting to read to the end.

The writing is kind of like reading a teenager’s journal. The amount of repetition got frustrating. My brain started using a teen’s voice every time the main characters said “No no no” or “Oh my god no no no.” There was a lot of ranting from the two MCs that seemed to take up 70% of the book.

This book was definitely full of suspense as the layers of the relationship are pulled apart, great read!