This is my second Helen Cooper read and once again she did not disappoint! Set in a tiny Derbyshire village, this fast-paced thriller explores family secrets, betrayal, and the fragile bonds that hold us together. Once best friends, Alice and Chrissy’s lives were torn apart when Chrissy’s son Leo killed Alice’s son Robbie during a New Year’s Eve fight. Two years later, Leo is being released from prison but when Chrissy goes to pick him up, she discovers he’s missing. As the police return to the village, hidden truths spanning two generations begin to unravel.
This novel dives into the ripple effects of tragedy, questioning how far we’ll go to protect the ones we love. With layers of secrets, deceptions, and drama, it kept me hooked until the very end. While some subplots were a bit extra, the ending delivered a satisfying sense of hope even through all the heartbreak.

Emotional account of two close families torn apart following a bar fight turned fatal. Two women, close as sisters, both deeply embedded in their community, share a workplace while raising their sons. When a fight between the boys becomes deadly, no one is sure what exactly happened, but they all turn against the surviving boy and his mother. This tragedy transforms the small town into a den of secrets and lies and plans for revenge. Despite being distraught over what he did and serving his jail time, Leo is not forgiven or even safe to be released into his hometown. When he disappears upon his discharge, all the little secrets start to come to light. The emotions of the main characters are so real; you feel the desperation, hope and fear of each one despite the different viewpoints. This story has a strong heart-pull, and the twists draw you in tighter. You can't help but need to know what happened to Leo now as well as what triggered the initial destruction of these families. The conclusion leaves no cliffhangers and finally gives clarity even if not peace. This is some excellent writing with a lot of heart and tension and action.

An emotional read from beginning to end, this was a story about loss and the effects it has on the people around it. The small-town atmosphere was done well, with a close-knit type feeling conveying the ostracization that happens when something goes wrong. This explores the depths of friendship and what can break even the strongest ones, as well as the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. The mystery and reveal were constructed well, and there were several secrets to uncover throughout. Overall, I enjoyed this and give it three and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam, for this ARC.

Some good things, some average.

I was kept interested throughout, so that's a positive. The main premise is that Chrissy's son Leo is due to be released from prison, but when she goes to pick him up, she discovers that he was released before she got there. She starts to get worried and after more time passes, he has not shown up. Chrissy is understandably frantic because of the reasons surrounding why Leo was in prison. As secrets about the past begin to be revealed, there are many people who don't want Leo to return.

The main story is good and very intriguing. I liked the dynamics at play and how the many layers of secrets were uncovered and brought to light. What I didn't particularly like was a side storyline, it didn't feel authentic at all and made me like the book a lot less. It really didn't need to be there and detracted from the main story.

So overall it was good and worth reading, but not particularly memorable

I love the way Helen Cooper writes! Using her multiple POVs she is able to craft a well rounded story! I love the way she gives bread crumbs that keep you guessing until the final reveal!

4 stars out of 5.

The drama. The family ties. The mystery. The thrill.

This one took me on the craziest ride where I never knew what to expect. I’ve read Helen Cooper before and didn’t enjoy them but this book was a COMPLETE difference! I will definitely be reading her books in the future.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

I can echo what everyone else seems to be saying about the slower start and the pacing being slower than what a lot of us are used to with thrillers but I have to say, I absolutely loved the pacing. There was something about this book that had me excited to pick it up to continue the story.

You have two moms who are (were) best friends and then tragedy strikes when one son kills the other. As a reader, we are left with far more questions than answers in the beginning of the book and you have to continue through the story to watch and see how both past and present unfold.

After the surviving son goes missing once he's been released on parole, we are just as in the dark as all of the other characters in the book and it's almost like we find out all together what exactly is going on.

This book was incredibly atmospheric and will have you guessing and wanting to know what on earth is going on throughout the whole ride and I definitely recommend it because it really was a great ride.

My thanks to Net Galley, Penguin Group, and G.P Putnam Sons for allowing me to review this arc.

Alice and Chrissy are best friends., as were their sons Leo and Robbie. Well after a fight Leo kills Robbie. When Leo gets released from prison, his mom goes to pick him up, but he's not there? Where is he?

The premise of Wheres Leo really appealed to me, but it turned into more of a soap opera. Wasn't bad, but I wasn't wowed. This was just ok.

Genre: Psychological Suspense
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Pub. Date: Dec 03, 2024

In a close-knit English village, Chrissy and Alice are two blue-collar best friends working at the bar that Chrissy owns. Their teenage sons, Leo and Robbie, are also best friends. One night, a single punch from Leo kills Robbie. Leo is sent to prison for manslaughter. Now, the women are bitter enemies. As the novel progresses, secrets surface, and the book transforms into a soap opera. There is one twist that surprised me. Still, I felt like I was reading a scene from “The Young and the Restless.” It was an okay read that got me through a night of insomnia. You may enjoy “My Darling Boy” more than I did.

My Darling Boy is Helen Cooper’s latest thriller and her best to date in my opinion. Best friends Robbie and Leo have a fight and we follow what happens till the very end of the book. Lots of secrets and lies come out and it kept me guessing from page 1. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my own opinions. I can’t wait to read her next book.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me to read this early.The plot was fast-paced, and I was engrossed from the first page. I couldn't put the book down and finished it within two days. The storyline flowed well, and I thought the different points of view of the women added depth to the story.

Wow! This is my third Helen Cooper novel and I can’t wait to read more! This story was dark and creepy with excellent characters. Hooked me early on and kept me up way past my bedtime. Lots of family secrets and lies. Nonstop action that kept me guessing until the very end.
Thank you NetGalley, Helen Cooper and Putnam Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to Putnam for the invite to read and review this book through NetGalley.

My Darling Boy was fine, though I wish it leaned a bit more into the thriller/suspense category. Not very much happened for the bulk of this novel—just a lot of “Where is Leo?” But the ending was rather rushed and unfortunately I was missing more depth to the relationship between the mothers and sons for me to really feel a connection to any of them.

When an accident results in death, how much forgiveness does the killer deserve? In this town, none. A mystery with soap opera at its beating heart, a reminder that all of us are just a shove or a missed step away from disaster.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I read "The Couple In The Photo" by Helen Cooper last year & loved it so I was excited to read her newest book, "My Darling Boy".
It was an interesting & addictive suspense/mystery that kept me guessing until the end.
There's alot of family drama & tons of twists.
I enjoyed how Ms. Cooper told the story using different POV's & dual timelines.
I am excited to see what she decides to write next.

Decent suspense mystery that was fast paced and easy to read. I enjoyed the different POVs, the dual timeline, and the quick chapters. Would definitely recommend if looking for a good suspense/mystery, kept me guessing till the end. I want to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

After reading "The Couple in the Photo," I was eager to dive into "My Darling Boy." Helen Cooper captivated me from the start and held my attention to the very unsettling end. Alice and Chrissy, best friends, share a bond through their sons Robbie and Leo. However, during their New Year's Eve party, tragedy strikes when Alice's son Robbie is killed by Leo. As Chrissy grapples with Robbie's death, she resolves to defend Leo in a community that has ostracized them both. When Leo disappears after his release from prison, Chrissy is compelled to uncover the reason behind the fatal incident and rescue her son before time runs out. Yet, with each uncovered layer, more secrets are revealed, casting doubt on Chrissy's own history. As a parent, this narrative deeply affected me, keeping me riveted as I attempted to piece together the mystery. This is a book that's hard to put down, and one you are not surely to forget.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

For someone who has insomnia, "like me!"
This story just kept putting me to sleep.
Hell, I may just keep it on my Kindle, throw away my sleep meds and use this book as my new sleeping medicine!

My Darling Boy is a slow burn, but the mystery of what really happened kept me engrossed in the pages. Once the story picks up in the last part of the book everything starts to fall in place. There are some jaw dropping twists that make the slow build up worth it. I was glued to the pages of this one and couldn't wait to find out the ending. For anyone who likes psychological thrillers full of family drama and secrets, this one is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a rather intriguing read that started slow. Because of the slow start, I was a little hesitant to keep reading and almost did give up, but I ultimately stuck it out, and things picked up. It ended up being a nice story. I think I struggled in the beginning so much because everything was so vague in what I think was an effort to try to build anticipation and suspense but it really left me unsatisfied initially. This book dealt with some heavy topics and in the end I like how things were portrayed and worked out. I loved how atmospheric this book felt. It was very realistic and like I was there experiencing things with the characters. I loved how this book portrayed living in a small town, because I’m from one, and it can most definitely feel claustrophobic, and that’s how I felt reading this. I wouldn’t go into this book expecting a fast paced thriller, its more of a mystery with the layers slowly building then unfolding towards the very end of the book.