I took a chance on this book and was delightfully surprised at how well written it was. It was a twisty, triggering, thriller with serious subjects and well thought out characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

2.5 stars. This seemed like a really cool idea, but I was disappointed with the actual book. This is not a legitimately feminist story, it's just man bashing IMO. One of my main problems with this book is that there is not a good or decent man in the entire thing--every single one is disappointing is one way or another, or more than one. It's not fair, reasonable, and not a fun read at all.

I'm tired of reading books where every man is awful. I think I've read too many books with characters who's actions and behavior are so far out there that I'm unable to maintain interest in another wild story where I can't connect with the characters.

Thank you to #netgalley and #killercrimeclub for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of #johannacopeland book - Our Kind of Game.

Wow, what an amazing read. I could not put it down and when I had to, I couldn’t get the story out of my head, wanting to know what happens.

A well written plot and development of three main women characters each paving their own way with two of them trying to hide/escape their past. Only to have everything come full circle and bring the three together again.

The twists, turns and hidden clues kept me engaged and wanting more. The ending was a bit of a surprise but I was sad to come to the end of the story. Will definitely read more #johannacopeland

Stella starts to resent her perfect life and family. In steps neighbor Gwen, to remind Stella of the secrets she keeps. How does Gwen know about Stella’s past?
Fast paces nice thriller.

Funny thing about women and thrillers…I mean, these books are geared toward and marketed to women, right? Yet sometimes some seem almost ANTI-woman - women are portrayed as always being acted upon by men, or are making poor decision because of their adoration of men, or the like. And often the women in the books are women who have chosen to leave the work force to raise children, then they suffer because of that. Here’s a book that finally acknowledges, at least, the way things are for women, STILL are for women, and this in an upper class white woman, in this, the year of our Lord, 2024, and she doesn’t even mention the fact that we have had our bodily autonomy stripped from us by a Supreme Court which is mostly male.

In this dual time line book in 2019 Stella Parker has everything (uh-oh) - a great husband, two wonderful kids and she’s a stay at home mom after an early career as a lawyer, with a beautiful house outside of D.C. But something is off. She receives an odd visit from a neighbor that starts her down a strange path. Is her husband having an affair? Or does someone know her secret?

In 1987 Julie Waits wants to be a cheerleader, to have a normal life, with regular friends. But her widowed mother and her boyfriends makes that impossible. Then something happens and things will never be the same again.

What is connection between these two women?

As to life for Stella, she notes there are “things so small she never considered them violent until she stopped to consider what they steal. The interrupting while she’s speaking, the assumptions about her intelligence, the shrinking options to make choices about her body (OK, maybe Roe comes up a little), the underrepresentation in every decision making sphere, the free-for-all on guns that has given her a constant grade of low grade anxiety and the consistent commoditization of the female body to name name the first things that came to mind.” Sing it, sister!

As the work, Stella also determines that “violence is telling women the path is clear when, in fact, it’s filled with land mines in the shape of no children and unequal pay.”

And, “I’ve investigated my fair share of murders. They fall into two categories. Men who get murdered taking risks. And women and children who are murdered trying to survive.” And if you are female you probably nodded your head, even if you just did it in the inside, at that one.

I would love to see more thrillers with at least a bit of this feminist bent. Really elevated this for me.

A story told in present day and flashbacks, this is an excellent depiction of family drama, complicated relationships and, of course, murder. Without giving too much away, I loved the fiercely loyal bonds between the family members. You definitely question who the “villains” are. And it ended perfectly!

In this family drama, full of twists and turns, you will discover how the past always shows its secrets in the future.

Great read - looking forward to the next book from this author.

It's a multi-perspective story with past snipets to explain the present.

Solid writing, original plot, a completely serviceable domestic thriller, which given the bloat of the sub-genre these days is meant as a compliment. The dual timeline structure works, though I am not sure the multiple POVs are necessary beyond serving the machinations of the plot. But an easy, entertaining read.

From the start we are pulled in by strong female characters. Copeland provides the reader with little hints that everything may not be as it seems for Stella.

Told by multiple captivating women, you will be rushing to finish one section just to dive into the next storyline.

I enjoyed the unique plot with resilient leads you can’t help but root for. I especially loved the wrap up/ ending that answered all my questions. This is a must read for this summer!

Content warning for sexual assault.

Thank you to Killer Crime Club, Net Galley, Publisher Harper and the author for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. I think I am in the minority when I say I didn't love this book. I thought the going back and forth between characters at times were confusing. I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to remember who the chapter was about. I guess this genre was just not for me.
2.5 out of 5

A terrific read, I didn’t want to put it down. I must admit, I was confused at first trying to figure out who the characters were but once I did, I was ready to keep reading. The plot revolves around a family with two daughters and the abuse in the household, from then on it was a game changer.

Our Kind of Game tells the stories of Julie, Paula, and Stella. Julie and Paula are sisters who have taken different paths to leave their troubled childhood behind. A childhood filled with their mother’s abusive boyfriends. But what they can’t leave behind are their mother’s compulsive behaviors. Planning, risk taking, and controlling your own fate. Paula controls her fate by becoming a police detective. Julie controls hers by reinventing herself.

Stella has the perfect life. A perfect home, perfect children, and a perfect husband. Until she doesn’t. Which is when she realizes she’s lost control of her story. And when a neighbor claims to know her deepest secrets, Stella’s life is thrown into chaos.

Our Kind of Game is a story filled with power struggles and twists and turns. Struggles between men and women, the haves and have nots, right and wrong, and for balance in relationships. The characters leave you wanting more, knowing not only that the cycle of violence repeats itself, but that the most dangerous creature in the forest is the mother bear protecting her cubs.

A solid 4 stars.

I got sent this ARC from Killer Crime Club and I have to say I was blown away. This might be my favourite book of the year so far. It was so intriguing, mysterious and made me have so many feelings. I flew through this and was so invested in the sisters before lives. The mom of Paula and Stella was seriously messed up but you can see the rationale of how women are treated and the lengths some go to protect the ones they love. Needless to say sometimes I wanted to shake Stella and be like what are you doing, but it was refreshing to see a flawed character. The ending was completely shocking and I was so wrapped up in it I stayed up too late. I finished it up in two days. I would love to read more books by this author.

I liked this one, but didn’t love it. A lot of the twists were obvious, and the one I didn’t expect had a lousy motive attached to it. The writing is excellent, and I found the chapters in the past to be super compelling. I would still recommend this overall. 3.5 stars.

Exciting domestic thriller. Refreshing approach and well-paced. The dual timelines were both absorbing and the conclusion satisfying. I read a ton of domestic thrillers and this one is one I won’t soon forget!

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Killer Crime Club and HarperCollins Publishing.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A riveting read if a lawyer who decides to be a stay at home mom giving up her successful career to live in a rural area. Things are not all it seems simple as unforeseen twists will have you wondering if there is more to the story. It ia a story that will keep you turning the pages till the end.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This book began with two narrators, Julie and Stella, who seem to have nothing in common. Julie is a teen with a traumatic upbringing, and Stella is a successful mother with a beautiful home and loving husband. But not all is what it seems! A feminist suspense novel, though sometimes predictable, had some interesting twists and turns.

A great mystery with well-drawn characters and a glimpse into various social strata. The narrators -- plural -- had me guessing and re-guessing. A strong debut!

A wonderful read. I absolutely loved this book. I am not usually as much of a fan of the domestic type thrillers, but this one was so wonderfully written.