I enjoyed this book so much. I think the author did an amazing job laying out the story of how two families are torn apart by secrets from a new years eve party. I could not put it down, and I can't wait for more from this author. I recommend this to others because it was really good.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Penguin Group Putnam

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have enjoyed both books.

My Darling Boy is a thriller about two women, Alice and Chrissy, who are best friends. Their sons are best friends too. Their friendships are shattered when one son causes the death of the other son. After serving 22 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter, Chrissy’s son, Leo, is released. He immediately goes missing.

Did Leo disappear voluntarily? Are the townspeople who have turned against Chrissy and Leo responsible for his disappearance? There are characters in this story who are keeping secrets. Slowly these secrets are revealed. These secrets have consequences which turn deadly.

The plot and the author’s writing kept me interested as the story progressed.

“Whatever happens, they will all be bound, by a tangle of secrets.”

My Darling Boy by Helen Cooper tells the story of two mothers, two sons, a murder and a lifetime of secrets. at a New Year’s Eve party thrown in Allison‘s pub Leo murders Robbie and goes to jail, but on the day he’s to get out she waits for him and when he never shows she learns he was already released and picked up, but where could he be The story is told for multiple POV’s and tells not only the history of the two friends but the abuse Allison suffered and other secrets they share. Through the story all Allison wants to know is where is her son and will she find him alive? unfortunately, there’s someone outside of this fractured friend group that wants to know the truth and will stop at nothing to find out. I read this book about a week ago and this is definitely one of those books that live in your mind especially the part when Eathan is having salad for dinner and just picturing that whole scene my first initial thought is who would put up with that but I know some women do but that is not what this book is about just know this is a great book and one you will be thinking about long after putting it down. I love Helen Cooper’s books and can’t wait for the next one. #NetGalley,#PenguinGroupDutton, #HelenCooper, #MyDarlingBoy,.

My Darling Boy is the perfect one-sitting binge book, just like all the Helen Cooper books I’ve read before. While I always enjoy them, this might be my new favorite. I think it’s because the plot starts with a bang, instantly making me need to know all the whys.

There’s a lot in My Darling Boy about secrets and the bonds of friendship, but also the power of forgiveness, all wrapped up in a little thrillery package. Loved it!

One night changes the lives of two close knit families - one child, Robbie, is dead and the other, Leo, goes to prison. After being ostracized by the community, Chrissy prepares for Leo's release from prison at the same time of a celebration of life for Robbie. When Leo goes missing, the search reveals long kept secrets and ultimately brings the community back together. I found this one hard to put down.

I felt like we were dropped in the middle of the book. I think if current time was introduced for a while before the past then it would have been better

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I also read The Couple in the Photo and I enjoyed that one a little bit more than this one. I did enjoy this one but that one just had a slight edge over this one. If you're looking for a psychological thriller then I would look elsewhere as to me this is a mystery with some twists and turns that unfolds as it goes. Not one of those books that messes with your mind. Though it's definitely not a cozy mystery.

I would still definitely give this author another read though.

My Darling Boy is a tense, emotional thriller that dives deep into friendship, guilt, and revenge.

In a small English village, a tragedy tore two families apart when Leo killed his best friend Robbie with one punch. Years later, as Leo’s parole approaches, the town is torn—none more so than his mother, Chrissy. But when she arrives to pick him up from prison, Leo is missing, and the village is full of dark secrets and old resentments.

Helen Cooper weaves a story of betrayal, loss, and hidden pasts, keeping readers on edge as Chrissy unravels the truth behind her son's disappearance. If you love slow-burn psychological thrillers that explore complex relationships, My Darling Boy is a must-read.

This book by @helencooperwriter was published this week 🥳 and man oh man is it a fast paced page turner of a story. I did not want to put this book down after I started it! It is a heartbreaking story about a mother’s love chock full of secrets and suspense. I highly recommend adding this to your holiday wishlists or treating yourself to this book!

Helen Cooper’s My Darling Boy is a deeply emotional and suspenseful tale that explores the ripple effects of crime, guilt, and community judgment. The story centers on a mother navigating life in a small town that ostracizes her due to her son’s crime—a murder committed by his best friend. After serving his sentence, the son disappears, setting off a new wave of tension as his mother struggles to find him while grappling with the town’s hostility.

The novel skillfully weaves together layers of secrecy, showcasing how hidden truths can impact relationships and shape perceptions. The gradual unraveling of these secrets keeps the reader engrossed, leading to a twist that is both surprising and impactful. Cooper’s ability to balance the emotional weight of the mother’s journey with the suspense of the unfolding mystery is commendable.

The book’s pacing and character development are strong, drawing readers into the small-town dynamics and the mother’s determination. It’s a gripping read that blends psychological tension with heartfelt storytelling, leaving readers eager for more of Cooper’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC.

Really, really liked this one. Super twisty and full of secrets. This one had my mom heart and brain racing.

One of the best books I've read this year. Family secrets, drama, twists and turns that will make you gasp out loud! This book had me hooked from the first page!

Do you like twists and turns? My Darling Boy will keep you spinning. This is a fast-paced psych thriller. It will keep you guessing.

There are many secrets and lies. I didn't want to put this one down.

From the author of The Couple in the Photo, Author Helen Cooper returns with her fourth novel, MY DARLING BOY—a gripping domestic suspense of Two Mothers. Best Friends. Two Sons. And ONE devastating murder.

How far will they go to protect themselves and their family?

About...

It is New Year's Eve 2021. Two mothers (Alice and Chrissy) are in the cellar of a pub when the unspeakable happens. Only eight minutes into the new year, two friends are arguing.

Then, a bigger crash upstairs. An eruption of shouts. Dead silence. Someone is calling for them to come. Talk of an argument, an ambulance. Spatters of red.

Two women come to a halt. One son is on the floor. The other stands over him. Someone is sobbing. Is he breathing? The mothers scream. My darling boy. What has he done? Their anguish is palpable, their hearts breaking with each breath.

Then, two mothers are not speaking, blocked numbers, notes from the other and the pub committee, and one son is in jail, pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Fast-forward to December 2023. One mom goes to the prison to pick up her son, who is out for early parole. However, when she arrives, he has disappeared.

Where did he go, and who picked him up? The mystery deepens, the plot thickens, and the reader is left on the edge of their seat, craving more.

My thoughts...

MY DARLING BOY is a twisty, emotionally charged psychological thriller of domestic suspense. The author skillfully weaves a web of intrigue, leaving the reader captivated by the ongoing mystery of why one son would murder his friend and where he went after prison.

The author masterfully uses misdirection and allows the POV of both Chrissy and Alice, as well as the aftermath and the complications within the pub, the village, and the families.

From dark, hidden family secrets across two generations, including a betrayal and a shocking revelation, MY DARLING BOY asks how far you would go to protect those you love.

Multi-layered and twisty, from friendship, family, deception, loss, revenge, dark hidden secrets, betrayal, and forgiveness.

Recs...

MY DARLING BOY is for fans of the author and those who enjoy complex family dramas and works by Louise Jensen, Shari Lapena, Victoria Helen Stone, Darby Kane, Daniel Hurst, Sarah Bonner, and K.L. Slater.

Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Dec 3, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
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My Darling Boy by Helen Cooper is another fantastic story.
This book is wonderfully written; a gripping storyline with strong characters.
Helen Cooper built up the twists and turns, pulse pounding, and page turning excitement... and it delivered!

This book, you guys! My first Helen Cooper read, and I am officially obsessed. My Darling Boy is an emotional rollercoaster with a capital D for Drama. Family secrets? Check. Shocking twists? Check. Layers upon layers of trauma, grief, and heartache? Double check. And somehow, amidst all that, Cooper even weaves in a thread of forgiveness. Like, how does she do it?!

Every chapter had me gasping or muttering, “Oh no she didn’t!” The characters are flawed and messy (as they should be), and the plot just keeps building until you’re drowning in drama—in the best way possible. This book isn’t just a read; it’s an experience.

If you love juicy family secrets with ALL the feels, grab this one immediately. Helen Cooper, I’ll be binge-reading your backlist. Five messy, twisty, unforgettable stars!

My Darling Boy, by Helen Cooper is the story of two best friends and their young adult sons. During a New Years Eve party at the bar the women own together, the sons fight and one dies, by accident or homicide. The story that follows focuses on several subplots, red herrings, and evasions of the truth with a soap opera feel. For me.the read was slow and frustratingly focused on adults who stopped talking adding drama that seemed easily avoidable. The chatacters were difficult for me to find likable or authentic. Thanks to Netgalley for the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

MY DARLING BOY captured my attention from the start. I highly recommend grabbing this book if you like stories filled with surprises and jaw-dropping endings.

Many thanks to the publisher for my gifted copy.

3.5 rounded up. On New Year's Eve, 2022, Chrissy and Alice's lives were changed forever. Chrissy's son, Leo, killed Alice's son, Robbie, in a devastating accidental punch that wound up getting Leo sent to prison and Chrissy shunned by her close-knit English village.
But Leo is finally up for parole after a year, and as Chrissy waits for him to walk out of the prison, she can feel her anxiety rising. Leo apparently already left with someone else. But then where did he go? Who picked him up?
Meanwhile, Alice is stressed about Leo's parole and a newcomer to the village insists on a memorial for Robbie. But what does Georgie want from this and why insinuate herself into the lives of the villagers?
This read like a soap opera and honestly, there are only like 2 likable characters in it. Interesting twists and turns, though.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this e-arc.*

This was a really well written book, I just had issues with the pacing. I felt at times it sped along and at other times it dragged. However the story and ending made it a solid read.