I wanted to like this, I love thrillers and I've worked in childcare and I love psychology. But this was just an unrealistic story about unlikeable people making bad choices with a predictable twist. There were several points of view, but it didn't add anything, it was just repetitive, just people talking out their thoughts instead of acting. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I like this author, but I found this book to be a bit predictable. Loved the short chapters, loved her writing but it just didnt have that wow factor for me.

Excellent psychological thriller. Kept me up into the early hours as I had to know what happened next. Some of the characters a bit unlikable but loved how it flowed so easily. Thank you

Being a mother is a dream for so many people, yet few talk about what comes afterwards. Postpartum depression is very real, but Lenore has started the process of healing and is ready to be the best mother she can. Everything for her Florence. But when an accident happens and Florence’s life is threaten, she has to ask herself: was it really an accident?

WOW! What a great thriller! Im often disappointed by the quality of the thrillers I read, where plot twists are preferred to background. But I was agreeably surprised by the writing of Leah Mercer! It had enough twists, while still giving us a good background story. A lot of important themes were also in the book, which resulted in a great read. Never forget, « secrets had a wad of tumbling out, sometimes in the worst way imaginable, and with the worst possible consequences ». I loved hating some characters and I loved feeling empathetic towards others. I got to say that I did see the plot twist coming, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book! I’ll definitely look into more books from this author!

Thank you Boukuture and Netgalley for this ARC! All opinions are mine.

The Playgroup is Leah Mercer's latest domestic suspense offering, and it's an intense mind game.

Each of the narrators has something at stake and they will do anything to protect themselves...even sacrificing someone's sanity. While it's apparent what is going on, there is still an element of mystery that kept me guessing. I did not see certain things coming and was definitely surprised by that! It was jarring to read about a little kid being hit by a car though. I can't even imagine how horrible that must have felt for Lenore to witness, nor do I want to. I just wanted to give her a hug and to smack everyone else for making her think she was responsible for the accident. I did like seeing the perspectives of the other women though, as it showed the reasons behind why they acted how they did. It was also nice to see certain people receive their just desserts.

Leah shows her writing prowess once again! If you haven't read her domestic thrillers yet, you're definitely missing out.

(Trigger warnings below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Lenore: Charlotte Ritchie
Alice: Rosamund Pike
Georgie: Andrea Riseborough
Beth: Bel Powley
James: Harry Melling

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TW: addiction, injury of child, miscarriage, postpartum depression

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC of ‘The Playgroup’. This is my first book by Leah Mercer and I will say I definitely want to check out more! This story is told through different point of views. Keeps you guessing as well as pulling at your emotions.

A brilliant storyline with believable characters. I can relate to the characters and their feeling since I work in childcare.

A very enjoyable book by Mercer again , I always enjoy her books. This one was told from the viewpoint of four women who work in a community nursery called the Nest. When something awful happens to one of the children they close rank in order to protect themselves and the Nest. Each one has a reason for doing so. Twists and turns throughout the book kept me hooked till the end. One to read.

The story is told by four women who work in a nursery called The Nest. Each of them has their own secrets that they are trying to protect after an accident occurs at the nursery. I enjoyed reading from the different perspectives, the cliffhangers and plot kept me guessing until the reveal. All in all, I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading more books by the author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The Playgroup is a fast paced psychological thriller that has you gripped into the book from the beginning. The multiple POVs and the way they go into the next chapter was done really well making you want to keep turning the pages until the end.

A couple things I didn’t like were the characters and how selfish and unlikeable they are. I was really put off by a lot of their actions and insufferable personalities.

I loved the writing style Leah Mercer uses and I can’t wait to read more from her.

3.75⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Leah Mercer for allowing me to read the ARC of The Playgroup

Thank you to Netgalley and the author/publisher for a copy of this ebook!

This book had multiple points of view which got to be confusing at times just because I had a hard time keeping track of each person in ebook format but once you got into the heart of the story it seemed to be easier to follow. No spoilers but the twists throughout and intense storylines were something I did not expect throughout the story and made it hard to put down.

My first Leah Mercer book and I was not disappointed. This book is full of gaslighting, secrets, and craziness. Every page I was gasping, rolling my eyes, or screaming at my kindle. Lol. The ending was deff a shocker, though. Perfect book for any thriller lover.

Thriller told by the pov of all 4 nursery workers. Thus deals with difficult issues such as addiction,postnatal depression and crime. Every character is well written and complex. The story gets going after an accident leaves a little girl in hospital and secrets are revealed for all the characters . The final twist made it a 5 star read for me.
Throughly enjoyable highky recommended. Thanks netgallery and publisher and author

This was my first Leah Mercer book, and I really enjoyed it!
There was excellent tension throughout, the stress and trauma on the characters was written with some serious emotion!
Any book centred around an accident involving a child has to be dealt with using empathy and powerful writing, and Mercer did a fantastic job of maintaining that. The plot is well paced, and the twists are so unpredictable!
There are characters you feel for, and ones you love to hate! Gosspi and drama in the educational settings fascinate me, and this definitely met those cravings!

On the edge of my seat until the last page. Every parent's nightmare. I enjoyed this very relatable psychological thriller/suspense.

Thrilling. Suspenseful. Addictive. Fast paced and just wow! Gripped me from the first page and did not let go until the last. Loved this one!

The Playgroup is so much more than you expect from the description. It sounds like a fairly simple story but once you scratch the surface there are so many twists and turns, secrets and lies that as a reader I just did not know where the story would take me. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I really enjoyed this book, I did find it infuriating at times, which isn’t a negative it’s like when you’re watching TV and you want to scream at the characters. Some great characters and a brilliant story!

I really enjoyed this book and felt badly for the mother. She made (what I thought) were some different choices than most would make but was finding her way and connecting with her daughter. I did not solve any of they mysteries until near the end of the book. Well-done!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Sadly this has to be added to my DNF list. It is my type of book, crime with a good interesting drama.
But after reading 25% I really disliked the way the plot was going. This poor woman Lenore has suffered Post Natal Depression after her daughter was born to the point it got very bad and as supportive as her husband has been, he’s also overbearing and very critical of her and her parenting skills.
Lenore decides she needs a break with her daughter, which finds her living in a small village and working in the nursery her daughter goes to.

When an accident happens at the nursery which is 100% their fault as the child runs out into the road, instead of this nursery talking responsibility, the manager decides to blame the mother. Making her and everyone else believe she is the guilty one. It’s a horrible cruel thing to do and I just don’t want to read that.