I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Wow!!! What a page turner!
A husband and wife celebrate their anniversary seeming to have a happy marriage with two children until the morning she receives pictures on her phone of her husband with another woman. She kicks him out. At the bar he is befriended by Ian who gives him a place to stay, gives him nice clothes etc but at what cost? Ian seems too good to be true- can he trust him? But when Ian wants him to do an errand for him he feels out of his comfort zone. He wants out but knowing Ian this may not be possible. And then the stunning conclusion!!!!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review! #TheSplit #NetGalley

The day following their wedding anniversary, Jessica discovers images on her phone from an anonymous number about her husband with another woman, engaging in meetings at hotels, and so on.

When Will remains tight-lipped about the situation, Jessica decides to kick him out. As they adopt a silent stance, matters start to take a turn for the worse...

The narrative revolves around manipulation, hidden truths, and deceit. The story unfolds with intensity and certain segments induce an eerie feeling. This psychological thriller is exceptionally crafted with unexpected turns that keep readers on the edge of their seat!

My feelings about this book are somewhat mixed. While it was engaging and well-written, I found certain aspects to be a bit repetitive, and some of the plot twists were not as surprising as expected. Despite these minor drawbacks, I do recommend giving this book a try for its overall quality and suspenseful elements.

This book opens with Jessica and Will at home after celebrating their anniversary. While it is just one short chapter they seem to have a solid marriage and they are absolutely adorable. The book seems promising. It quickly goes downhill for me. The characters were not very likable and the storyline was extremely frustrating for the first two-thirds of the book. Lots of both characters suffering the consequences of their own actions but yet doing nothing but moan “woe is me”.

Everything could have been resolved within the first 100 pages if they had simply put their pride aside and talked to each other. Honestly, if I hadn’t received this book from NetGalley and Bookouture I most likely would not have finished. HOWEVER I stuck it out and the last one-third of the book redeemed itself. The villain revealed him (or her)self, there were a few surprises thrown in that I didn’t guess, and everything was wrapped up neatly with a little bow by the end.

Three stars from me.

This is a tough review to write as I have loved all of Susies previous novels, I didn't dislike this by any means but it felt as though it was a book of two halves. The 2nd part of the book was fast paced and tense as Will finally came to the conclusions that he had but I felt the first part was dragged out slightly too much. To me it was a tit for tat situation between Will and Jessica and I just wanted to bang their heads together and tell them to communicate with each other, instead of listening to "well meaning" friends. However I'm fully aware if they'd done that there would be no book, and perhaps this is the intention of the author to draw us further into the story. I was correct in a couple of suspicions that I had, but this didn't lesson the tenseness at the end of the novel. I'm basing my star rating on the 2nd half of the book which I did really enjoy.

This is hard to rate since I enjoyed the last half of the books, but the first half drove me crazy.

The first half is all about miscommunication between the husband and wife about the text message with the photographs. They were both too stubborn to actually work it out, but I understand this wouldn’t have made a very good book if they talked it out. This just made for a very frustrating first half of the book and it dragged on for way tooooooo long. I literally wanted to quit the book since I got it since it was so repetitive.

Then the second half actually turned into a psychological thriller. I really enjoyed the twists, even though you could see them from a mile away. Due to this half, I would have given the book four stars, but the first half really weighed down the book.

Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Omg.... This book is totally addictive, jaw dropping to the floor book... It's amazing... So hard to put down totally worth more than five stars... Usually it takes me a couple chapters to get into the book but by the first chapter I was 100% hooked and had to know what was going to happen next.. Totally worth the read on this book. You're going to regret it if you don't get this book, you're going to sit there and wonder what this lady was talking about...

This was an interesting read as I always love books that change perspective. In the end it kept me relatively gripped and there were some twists which surprised me. Would recommend to someone else for a easy holiday read.

S.E. Lynes has always been a ride or die author for me, right from reading her very first book, Valentina, a few years back. I'm so very happy to say, The Split lives up to Susie's stellar reputation as an author.

Susie has a way of writing that compels the reader to want to find out more. Even when I think I've got it all worked out, I want to keep reading to find out if I was right, and often – I'm not. The tension is there from the outset; from the very first chapter I found myself gripped and determined to read for as long as it took to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Who is telling the truth?
Who is keeping secrets, and why?
Who is this strange, unrecognisable person Will has turned into?

Will is desperate to tell Jess what has really been going on, but he made a promise. By the time he realises his promises were to the wrong person, is it to late to save his family?

A story of manipulation, secrets and intrigue – The Split is another belter from S.E. Lynes!

Yet another thrilling read from this author. Starting with Will and Jessica enjoying a blissful loved-up anniversary night followed by anonymous photos sent to Jessica of Willl with another woman.

The subsequent outcome of these photos leads to ‘The Split’ which escalates at the speed of sound. The twists and turns throughout the book at times blindsided me and there were definitely ‘wow’ moments. One thing that astounded me was Will’s naivety to think that, without any ulterior motives, he was getting so much support from someone he had never met!

Highly enjoyable.

THE SPLIT was a story filled with a lot of suspense. Once again, I was surprised by the twist that S. E. Lynes had in store for me. If you want a story you can fly through in a day's time, THE SPLIT is for you. Highly recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) closer to publication date.

Will and Jessica have just celebrated a wonderful night out for their anniversary. She feels loved and secure in his arms and thinks her life is beyond perfect.
The next morning, photos are mysteriously sent to her anonymously from "a friend," showing her husband out and about with a woman and definitely having an affair. Her world crumbles, and "The Split" begins.

There are many twists in this story, and the affair spirals into so much more. Who is the woman in the photo? Who sent the pictures?
This book is a slow burn into a twisted puzzle of events, and nothing is as it appears.

My low rating is mostly due to character development. I found myself unable to connect with any of them, and the choices they made were ridiculous. The miscommunication trope drives me crazy but on a whole, the story is quite good..
And a definite lesson on being careful who you trust. A page turner for sure!

Wow, what can I say!!!! Yet another fantastic story by this author. I was captivated from the first page until the end. I thought I had worked things out but the author cleverly steers you in another direction. This book is going to fly, it's so good.

I was so looking forward to this as I have read all the other books written by this author.

Although I enjoyed the book, I did find it predictable. I had worked out who fitted in where and who was who so I felt the lady two thirds of the book were just marking time. This could be a result of me reading so many psychological thrillers and maybe readers for whom it’s a new genre will enjoy it.

I will not let it stop me reading future books by this author

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 nest 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. I bed Will to tell me what is going on. But all he can say is it's not what I think. As if betrayal isn't bad enough, he won't even be honest with me. And now there's someone watching the house.

Jessica and Will were happy, celebrating their seventh anniversary, but the next day, Jessica receives pictures on her phone. They are of Will with another woman. Jessica is the provider of the family while Will takes care of the children. But when Jessica receives the photos, she throws Will out.

The naivety of Will and Jessica can be frustrating. As the secrets unravel, will the truth redeem or destroy the family? There are lots of twists, the pace is fast, the characters are well-rounded, and I loved this book.

Published 8th March.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SELynes for my ARC of #TheSplit in exchange for an honest review.

When Jessica wakes up in bed with her husband the day after their anniversary, she feels loved. When she picks up her phone, she feels betrayed. Someone anonymously sent her twenty seven pictures of her husband with another woman.

And so begins a whirlwind of a split between Jessica and William.

This was wild! I thought it was going to go in a really crazy and unnecessary direction at one point, but it didn't veer all the way into Unbelievable Territory, so I'm okay with how things unfolded here.

The entire situation with Jessica and William could have been solved with one thing, and, if you know me, you know it's my pet peeve:

Communication.

These two just do not communicate, and because of that, the reader is taken on this wild ride of speculation and suspicion. It was a lot of "oh, he's doing this" and "she's doing that" when really neither of them were doing any of those things. But I didn't hate it, and usually lack of communication is a non-starter for me.

There's an underlying story here that goes back to the pictures, and that part of the plot was my favorite. Did I guess some of the twists? Yes. Was it a bit repetitive? Yes. Was it worth the read? Also yes.

Hooked is definitely the word! This is the story of Jessica and Will. Jessica has, in classic thriller form, received photos showing her husband with another woman and is understandably heartbroken, throwing him out. As she tries to keep it going for her children and get to grips with her always there househusband cheating, he finds himself meeting with a stranger who has been through similar.

I’ll admit Jessica wasn’t quite my cup of tea (making me feel more for another character) and the interactions and decisions made had me sighing a bit, not least because the two of them were the worst communicators EVER, literally a sit down would have at least got them moving towards possibly being able to live together. There was the added fact that there was a lot of modern speak used, gaslighting, boundaries, love bombing etc, where I’d always prefer to hear what’s going on instead of a term, but I digress!

This is a very slow burn, which allowed me to form different scenarios in my head which made the last thirty percent a lovely, satisfying steep slide as some realisations dawned! A quick end that did the job for me, although if there’d had been more I’d have taken that too.

Thanks to the publisher for the book in return for an honest review, all opinions are my own. Out March 24.

Rating: 4/5

This is the first book that I've read by S. E.Lynes and all that I can say is Wow! I am now a huge fan and I cannot wait for the author's next book! Will's wife accuses him of having an affair after she receives photos of him with another woman and it's all downhill from there for their marriage. I love the growth of Will's character throughout the book. He starts out being this really timid, stay at home Dad, kicked out of his home by his wife and so easily manipulated by a supposedly good Samaritan and friend. Will transforms into this really brave defender and courageous rescuer of his family. The twists and turns in the book really caught me off guard. I really did not see the betrayals coming. It really was a case of be careful who you trust, there's no such thing as a free ride. It always comes with hidden terms and conditions and if something is too good to be true, it normally is (unfortunately). This is definitely a 5-star review from me for this excellent psychological thriller. Thank you Netgalley for my ARC. #TheSplit#NetGalley

This was great.
A falling out becomes a split and then just unravels.
How someone can mess with lives and the consequences.
SE Lynes has created a tale with many directions that just comes together so well.
She’s definitely an author who likes to keep you on your toes and wondering what’s next.

The day after their wedding anniversary, Jessica receives photos on her phone of her husband with another woman, meeting in hotels etc.

When Will refuses to tell her anything, Jessica throws him out. As they won’t talk to each other, things go from bad to worse.

With nowhere to stay, Will befriends Ian Robbins in the local pub. Ian offers him a roof over his head - just until he’s back on his feet. Is his offer too good to be true? What has Will got himself involved in?

Oh my goodness! This author is extremely good at slowly drawing me in until I’m in over my head!

The story is flawless and has you second guessing what will happen next.

The characters were interesting and I found I had to keep stopping and questioning if I would have acted like Jessica or Will.

It is a story of manipulation, secrets and lies. The tale was intense and quite creepy in parts. A superb psychological thriller with twists to keep you guessing.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

S.E. Lynes, The Split, Bookouture, March 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

S.E. Lynes has cleverly combined a thriller with elements of character study and examination of the way relationships can develop or crumble under pressure. These elements are woven together so seamlessly that the plot, as complex as it may appear at times, follows a rational progress as a marriage breaks down. Questions arise from the beginning of the novel when compromising photographs of her husband, Will, and an attractive woman are sent to Jessica. They have been married for seven years, are in their forties, and have a school age son and daughter for whom Will is the major carer while Jessica is a high-flying businesswoman. The prologue suggests that Jessica will be particularly vulnerable to the import of the photographs - and her reaction fulfills this prediction. She immediately verbally and physically assaults the just awakening Will.

Will’s characterisation is that of a man easily swayed by people and events, while being a stalwart father, loving husband and sensitive life coach. Superficially, Jessica is stronger, but her reliance on her mother and best friend, Lena, as the crisis in her marriage deepens, demonstrates Jessica’s vulnerability. Will’s vulnerability also becomes more apparent as he begins to rely heavily on a recently met friend, an aggressive lawyer and his sense of injustice. He, too, is impacted by his mother. However, unlike the support Jessica receives from hers, Will’s mothers remembered admonishments further serve to undermine his self-confidence and fulfil his sense of grievance.

Emotional history, flawed characters, vulnerability, duplicity and misunderstandings as well as contrived events combine to make this novel a complex read. Yes, it can be read as a thriller with some smart twists. However, it can also be read as a study of a marriage and its susceptibility to past and current events which is caught up in a thriller plot that works well. S.E. Lynes has written a novel that lends itself to both understandings, and for both types of reader it is a good read.