Hannah Parker is a nasty, self-absorbed and beautiful woman, who always gets what she wants. So when she decides she wants her married ex Mark back, the small detail of a wife isn't going to stand in her way,

Susan, Mark's wife, is a weak and downtrodden woman who has empty nest syndrome, now that their only child has gone to university. Initially, I felt empathy with Susan, but as she went on and on... and ON about her son, I found her boring and feel her character needed more development. Mark was easily manipulated and lacking in personality, so I struggled to understand why Hannah was so determined to make him hers. There were some good twists, but the repetition and undeveloped characters became boring and the ending was completely random and left me with an "oh. Is that it?" feeling. I actually re-read the last few pages, thinking I must have missed something!

Great potential, but didn't quite hit the mark for me.

2.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Valerie Keogh and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this arc. What a thriller! Fast paced, with some twists thrown in. I did not see the ending coming! I love her books!

I really enjoyed this book, i have only recently found this author. When susan and marks son Drew chooses to cut the apron strings and go to a university far away from home, susan is devastated.
Hannah is stunning and could have any man she wants, but she went out with mark a long long time ago, and she let him go. Now she wants him back or does she? Will she take him away from his faithful wife?????
A large house is hiding secrets, what could they be? And what is the connection???? This book had a lot of great twists, and I DIDNT SEE THAT COMING moments. Highley recommend

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of the Mistress by Valerie Keogh!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was a fast and easy read. The narration bounced between two women’s POV; Hannah and Susan.

Hannah as the mistress was strongly unlikeable in the beginning, but yet there were times where I found myself empathizing with her.

The twist in this one was a bit of a shock as it didn’t seem to have much to do with the main plot line. The cliffhanger ending left me wanting more, but it’s definitely a stand alone book.

An interesting read with a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming! ‘The Mistress’, Hannah, is a conniving liar who is out to get what she wants without considering anyone else at all. ‘The Wife’, Susan, is a bit of a walkover, but also a woman lost after her son moves away from home. ‘The Husband’, Mark, well, you’ll have to read the story to find out about him. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

First I want to thank NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for my ARC of The Mistress. This one definitely started out slow but peeked my interest about halfway through the book. I felt like it had a lot of potential but sort of ended abruptly. The twists at the end of the book were interesting and I didn’t see them coming but I feel like the ending was rushed and left me with more questions. It’s told from the two women’s perspectives, Hannah and Susan. I liked seeing the story from the two viewpoints however, none of the characters were really likable. Susan was very insecure and based her whole life around other people. Hannah was a selfish gold digger who used everyone around her to get what she wanted. Overall the book was just okay for me.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The Mistress by Valerie Keogh, published by Boldwood Books

This is one of those novels you don't want to put down!

Two women at odds, fighting over a man, find themselves consoling each other over their life events. I was happy to see a strong woman at the end of the novel, taking control and "writing her own narrative "
Loved how the story was weaved, great plot, told by two main characters Hannah and Susan, great detail of setting and characters.
I especially liked how towards the end we find out what happened to Hannah's husband Ivan after his stroke. The story leads us to believe one thing as Hannah goes back home to check on him
Not the ending I expected at all, but loved the twists and turns and how the characters stories are told.
I'll definitely read more novels by Valerie Keogh, love her writing style and this story.

This author can do no wrong just now. This is yet another book that pulls you in and doesn't let go until the unexpected conclusion.
Hannah is in a marriage of convenience, the convenience being a very wealthy but elderly husband. However things have ran their course and it's time for her to move on. Always being one to have got whatever she wants by using her good looks and body she decides to go after someone whom she had a relationship with when they were students, Mark. Hannah knew that Mark was now married but she just saw that as a challenge that she would win. What she didn't count on was Mark's wife, Susan, was unwilling to give up on her husband and was willing to kill to keep him.
This is a wonderful story of lies and deceit with many twists and turns. Characters are very well described and the book is well written and easy to read.
Another best seller from Valerie Keogh and Boldwood Books methinks.

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this book. I found the characters self absorbed and think this may have been the aim.

I think a lot of people will like the book but it’s one that I probably won’t remember in a few weeks. 3.5 stars

WOWZA! This book proved that you do not need a lot of pages to deliver a thrilling page turner with fully fleshed out characters! Coming in at less than 300 pages, The Mistress was pure enjoyment. I found this book to be gripping from the very beginning and had a hard time putting this book down when life got in the way. I thought I knew what I was getting into when I started this book, but boy was I wrong!

Hannah Parker always gets what she wants - She wants her old flame, Mark, back in her life! But Mark is married to Susan! Ooh, La La, things are about to get tricky!!!!

The characters in this book are fantastic! Hannah is a gorgeous woman who knows how to charm and manipulate to get what she wants. Susan is Mark's wife and mother of his son. She begins to have suspicions about her husband's behavior. She is not going to give up her husband so easily.

This was such a fun psychological thriller! Readers are given both Hannah's and Susan's POV's. This was a very nice touch and helped readers learn more about their characters, their thoughts, and motivations. Hannah is an ‘I love to hate' character. She has no qualms about going after another woman's husband, lying, cheating, or deceiving. But she grew on me throughout the book. I enjoyed Susan with her interesting "thoughts" and worry for those she loved (her son moving away to college & her husband). I enjoyed the journey Susan went on in terms of personal growth.

This book is full of secrets and lies. There are a few twists thrown in as well. I found this page turner to be well written, brilliantly thought out, perfectly paced and so much fun. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.


This was my first book by Valerie Keogh, and I can't wait to read more of her books!

In her latest endeavour, Valerie Keogh presents us with "The Mistress," a narrative that initially promises a whirlwind of suspense and dark revelations. From the outset, I was strapped in for a ride that hinted at the unravelling of Hannah Parker, a character shrouded in enigma and seduction. The premise sets our expectations on a path of intrigue, suggesting a deep dive into the psyche of a femme fatale who effortlessly captivates every man within her orbit. The anticipation of a narrative filled with twists and the unravelling of a complex character was palpable.
However, as the pages turned, the anticipation began to wane, giving way to a sense of unfulfilled potential. Rather than serving as a masterstroke of storytelling, the tale's conclusion felt remarkably underwhelming. The simplicity of the ending, devoid of the expected shock and awe, leaves a lingering question of "Is that it?" This abrupt resolution not only fails to satisfy but also suggests a missed opportunity to weave a more intricate and compelling narrative.
Moreover, the novel seems to suffer from a rushed execution, particularly towards its climax. Vital elements of the story, such as the 'narrative' Susan was poised to write, remain shrouded in mystery, depriving readers of a fully realised story arc. Additionally, Hannah's conclusion appears anticlimactic, failing to deliver the emotional or psychological payoff one might expect from such a buildup. This lack of closure and depth contributes to an overall feeling of dissatisfaction.
The essence of the story, which held so much promise, ultimately fizzles out, akin to a damp squib. This outcome is disheartening, particularly for those of us who were captivated by the premise and invested in the characters' journeys. "The Mistress," with its initial allure and potential for a riveting exploration of manipulation, obsession, and the human psyche, unfortunately, falls short of its promise.
Valerie Keogh's talent for creating engaging setups is evident, yet "The Mistress" reminds us of the importance of fulfilling the narrative promises made to the reader. A more developed plot and a satisfying conclusion could have elevated this novel from merely promising to profoundly impactful. As it stands, the book leaves a lingering sense of what could have been if the story's execution had matched the intrigue of its premise.

Very well done domestic/family drama! Well written, well-developed characters and a story that is all too familiar. Ms. Keough handles it in a new and different way which will hold your attention and you will be racing to the unpredictable ending! Very good read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Not your typical "mistress" book and had quite a few twists and turns I did not see coming.
The characters were well thought out and I was engaged in each of their stories.
Enjoyed that the chapters bounced back and forth between characters, which made me want to keep reading.
Thanks for a great story.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Mistress’ written by Valerie Keogh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Beaten and abused by her current husband, Hannah Parker leaves him in search of Mark Shepherd, the boyfriend she met at university twenty years who she heartlessly discarded. It means nothing to Hannah that he’s happily married with a family, she intends to lure him back into her web.

Just as I think Valerie Keogh’s novels can’t be improved on, the next one comes along and knocks me for six! ‘The Mistress’ is the story of the two women in Mark Shepherd’s life, his wife Susan and mistress Hannah. The narrative moves effortlessly between the past when Hannah flaunts her sexuality at university to the present time when she tracks down Mark intending to entice him back into her life regardless of his wife. This is a brilliant novel with drama, tension and unbelievable twists and turns that’ve kept me turning page after page. But just as I thought the story was all done and dusted, I reach the last page where there’s a final humungous twist that’s a massive and totally unexpected shock I’m still trying to get my head around. This is a fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable novel that I’ve loved reading and I’m sorry I’ve come to the end.

A fantastic, twisty story from Valerie. I devoured this book so quickly as I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. The ending was such a surprised which I wasn't expecting. I love Valerie's books and this one is up the top of my list. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review

The Mistress explores the lengths Hannah will go to to secure the life-style she wants. When this ends in abuse she is reminded of someone who loved her 20 years ago. Determined to have Mark for herself Hannah moves back to Bristol and sets out to steal Mark from his wife Susan.

Susan is in a bit of a rut following the departure of their son to university in Glasgow, rather than drawing closer it has forced Mark and Susan further apart and Mark straight into Hannah's clutches. However, Susan is determined not to lie down and take this and sets out to win her husband back. How far will she go?

I enjoyed having both Susan's and Hannah's perspectives. Overall an OK thriller but falls flat a little in terms of suspense and there is no character that you particularly empathise with

This is my first book by this author and one which I really enjoyed.

The story is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns with interesting characters. It focuses on Hannah whose marriage has just fallen apart so she sets her sights on her married ex boyfriend Mark. He however is now happily married to Susan but that doesn't stop Hannah from trying to win him back.

The book is written from the perspectives of both Hannah and Susan which was something I enjoyed.

Hannah Parker is a woman who always gets what she wants.
When her current husband discovers she has been lying to him – again - she knows it’s time to move on and find someone who can give her the life she desires… The life she knows she deserves…

I quite enjoyed the read but I didn’t like any of the characters. They were either extremely selfish or weak but infinitely unlovable and didn’t draw me in. The book is written well and the pace of the story good. I’ve not read anything else by this author. There are plenty of twist and turns as the story progresses, which is good. Plus a pretty good ending.

Damaged people love to damage others. Hannah had a rough childhood resulting in a tumultuous young adulthood. Men love her and she loves what they can give her. She’s used to getting her way and moving on to her next mark when she’s done. But one of those marks has a wife that won’t let her win so easily. A fun read!

When Hannah’s toxic marriage comes to a breaking point, she’s reminded of an old fling, Mark, and is determined to get him back.

When Hannah comes back into Mark’s life, his faithfulness to his wife, Susan, starts to crumble. Susan will do whatever it takes to keep her family together, and Hannah will do whatever it takes to get Mark back.

I was fully invested in this book from the very beginning. It is in first person with dual POV between Hannah and Susan. It was filled with the perfect amount of suspense while also being an extremely realistic and believable storyline.

My opinions on each character changed throughout the book, which is something I love in a thriller. The author does an incredible job at portraying both Hannah and Susan as the “villain” while also providing enough context to justify their questionable behavior.

This book is set in London and there is a lot of British slang and sayings in this book. This didn’t bother me, but it seems necessary to point out since I found myself looking up terms and phrases occasionally.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am excited to read more of Valerie Keogh’s work. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood books for providing me an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I’m