Great story line, however I found it a bit slow. It did not get mystery/thriller like until over halfway through. Overall, once you got there it definitely was suspenseful.

A new book by S.E. Lynes is always something to celebrate. What twisted path will she lead us down this time? Without fail, this author digs deep into the darkness but also shines a spotlight on humanity and both the good (and bad) people are capable of. Who knows what any of us would do, faced with evidence that rips apart the foundations of our lives?
That's the opening dilemma for happily married Jessica when she receives compromising photos of her husband, Will. And saying, 'It's not what you think' is akin to throwing petrol on to a naked flame.
We witness the rapid unravelling of their marriage. One heartbroken, the other desperate to make amends. Until other forces come into play. Then the gloves are peeled off and it's anyone's guess how it will end…
Good people do bad things, or sometimes good people do things they believe to be good, but ultimately end up in a quagmire of questionable choices. Lynes expertly weaves a tale that had me simultaneously going 'Got it!' and 'Damn, didn't see that coming!'
To reveal much more about the story risks spoiling it for others. Suffice to say — as usual — there are standout lines to savour.
'Diagnose himself, perhaps: post-traumatic stress. Severe bleeding idiot syndrome.'
'So Ian folds his huge generosity so as to make it small and pretty enough to accept.'
'Winning means someone has to lose.'
'At her friend's parting, a fat grey centipede crawls across dull brown hair.'
I even screamed with delight when a certain iconic London restaurant was mentioned, I have the cookbook. Probably not largely relevant but small connections matter…
Clever, thought-provoking and massively entertaining, The Split is a worthy addition to the author's growing catalogue of must-reads.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the book.

The morning after their anniversary celebration, Jessica receives many incriminating photos on her cellphone of her husband Will with another woman. His response is to tell her it’s not what she thinks. Angry and concerned for her two young children, Jessica kicks him out. And so the mystery begins. Will meets a kind benefactor, Jessica is furious, and the family rockets out of control. There are many interesting characters who will draw you into the many layers of secrets. Some of the story I could predict and the characters were fairly naive, however it does not take away from the thrill and intensity of the ride. The book just keeps getting better. With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC. My opinions are my own. Susanh_bookreviews

3.5 ⭐

I did enjoy this book, even though I've only rated it 3.5 stars. It felt a bit slow to get going, although the frustration I felt with Jessica and Will made me more invested in whether or not they'd eventually sit down and work things out.

Some parts did feel a bit drawn out (more so Will's chapters) that made it feel like there was an effort to boost the length of the book a bit (like when you've got an essay with a word count). Despite the start being a bit slow moving, it did keep me gripped and wanting to find out what was going to happen next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline Books for the ARC of this book.
Although I normally like this authors books however I found this one dragged in places and was rather overly complicated. The “plot” was not really believable and I found it hard to like any of the characters except Pat the Mum.
Not one for me I’m afraid.

I have read all this authors books and have enjoyed them all and this one did not disappoint. It was a gripping thriller which had me hooked from start to finish. It had me wanting to shout at the characters to just talk to each other.

Jessica, is married to Will she believes their marriage fine until she receives some photographs from a mystery sender of Will and another woman. Will won’t tell Jessica about what is going on but says it not as she thinks. Is he having an affair or is something else going on?

This was a fantastic thriller with a jaw dropping ending which I really wasn’t expecting. I highly recommend this to everyone such a great read. Thanks to netgallery and the publisher for my advanced copy.

This was great. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review

An atmospheric, dark and twisty ride!

The Split begins with the story of a marriage in trouble, but we are quickly transported into the dark realms of manipulation and control.

Jessica and Will are good people. Normal people. They are you and me. And this serves to heighten the tension at every stage. Thrust into a world they are not equipped to deal with, there are mistakes, misunderstandings and moments they almost, but never quite, get to the truth.

Lynes used the dual narrative to its full potential, hiding then revealing secrets to both the reader and the characters themselves. The characterisation is sublime and Ian Robins in particular is so brilliantly drawn that he is compelling and repulsive in equal measure. Just like Will, the reader is never really sure where they stand.

The twists and reveals kept me turning the page until, in the last quarter of the novel, Lynes ramps up the pace and the tension to new heights and I found myself practically inhaling the pages to see what would happen. Even when I thought all was revealed - there was more!

Before I could write this review, I had to give myself a minute for my heart to stop racing. I absolutely loved this dark and twisty tale.

I have always loved S.E. Lynes and she has done it again. Buckle your seat belts for a wild ride. Imagine seeing your spouse with another woman. How would you feel? There are twists you won't see coming. Looking forward to more from this author. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a chance to read this book.

Wow! This mind-blowing psychological thriller has so many twists and turns I am still reeling. Who is the villain and who is the victim in this twisted tale of deception, betrayal, and revenge? This story proves the old saying that if something is too good to be true it is. Nothing is as it appears in this intricately woven web of mind games. There were times when I thought I knew where the story was leading, but then it would go in another surprising direction. S. E. Lynes masterfully constructs an enticing puzzle that leads to a shocking and breathtaking conclusion. I highly recommend this to all thriller addicts. Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again SE Lynes does it again with a well written book.

Has you hooked from page 1. Twists, turns, unexpected things just great book all the way around.

I will def read anything this author writes!

Tha ND NetGalley for letting me read and review

Jessica, who is married to Will, believes their marriage is going well until she receives some photographs from a mystery sender of Will and another woman. Will won’t be straight with Jessica about what is going on but says it not as she thinks. Is he having an affair or is something else going on?

This was an entertaining read. The first half I thought it was going to be a fairly generic domestic thriller but then the plot goes into some unexpected directions and completely crazy! Although it took me a while to get into this story as soon as I did I found myself gripped and really enjoyed all the twists and turns. This was definitely a fun page turner! I am happy to see that there are plenty more thrillers by this author that I can now read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.

Wow, another brilliant book by SE Lynes. This story revolves around Will and Jessica, both very likeable characters. The trouble starts when Will keeps a secret from Jessica and because neither will listen to the other things get very complicated. This is where we meet other characters, some not so nice. This is a real page turner and I loved it. SE Lynes is one of my favourite authors and this book gets 5 stars from me.

I have read 12 of the authors 13 books ( Valentina being the one still haven’t ) and it goes without question that when you start one you never quite know what to expect,every one is very different,unique in it’s storytelling and theme and this book does not break that rule……
I guess to describe this book you would say it covers vunerability,manipulation,inability to want to listen to things and adult grooming…..and yes it is fascinating,well told,tense and a real,honest and kinda scary look into just how quickly sensible,dare I say normal,people are easily played and fooled
I loved the settings in and around West London and also liked the odd quote we got from the dazzling smooth as a peach Ian…..I also was kinda bemused as a vegetarian of 40 years I was made to feel my mouth water over a description of shepherds pie….this author is great at this,every little thing in the story builds a picture in your mind
It’s a cautionary tale,be careful who you trust,be careful who you allow to get into your headspace and be careful when you start it that you have enough time to finish it in one sitting as you will want to
As always,genius writing

I found this to be an easy, enjoyable, if predictable, read. A husband and wife appear happy, living a comfortable life with their 2 children. In her past, the wife caught her father in an affair and that has left her very sensitive and vulnerable. So, when she wakes up to find a series of compromising photos of her husband, sent from ‘A Friend’ her world falls apart.

What follows is a twisty tale of secrets and subterfuge and I enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutre for the opportunity to preview.

Ooooohhhhhh yes please!!! Such a great read!! Kinda thought partnof it but not nearly as much as was going on. Woo-hoo if you love great characters, twists galore..this book is definitely right up your alley. You just never know who you meet.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

Another grand read from this talented author! So gripping from the first page to the last. Fast paced, unpredictable and original with a twist that made me gasp out loud. Dramatic, atmospheric and fast paced.

Communication, communication, communication, people! This story never would have happened if Jessica and Will had just communicated with each other! (Not that it would’ve happened anyway, but let’s suspend our disbelief, shall we?)

Jessica receives a number of very incriminating photos on her cellphone the day after her 7th anniversary with Will, the father of their two young children. Uh, Will—the one thing NOT to say when caught is, “It’s not what you think.” Jessica immediately kicks him out, and then the twists and turns start.

Will receives help (and a LOT of it) from a mysterious benefactor.

But you know what they say….there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

In the interest of full disclosure, I did figure out a couple of the reveals ahead of time, but this is still a good read, and I was entertained.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest feedback!

This is a really good read. S.E. Lynes is a supremely good author, skilled at writing a clever and tense thriller, I enjoyed this one from the off and it did take me by surprise!

People often jokingly say that something did not happen when there aren't any photos that can be used as proof. This means it works both ways and when some incriminating photos land on your phone, the only conclusion you can come to is that they must reflect reality.

And that of course is when the cat is let out of the bag. Emotions bubble over and the ability to think clearly and rationally flies out of the window. Your mind is fixed on that one conclusion. The question though is, are you ready to listen or are you too deep in your own ideas of what went on?

When people are deeply hurt and wallow in the pain, they are the best victims for manipulation ever. It goes without saying that some sharks are lurking in the vicinity, ready to pounce.

The author really created a web where the characters were entangled in. How were they ever going to get out of their dire situations? The answer to this and a lot more questions is what this incredible story is about. I loved the knots and had a great time seeing the plot revealed. 5 stars

Thank you