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.

This book kept me on my toes and made me so curious about these characters and their pasts!

Alice and Chrissy were the best of friends, just like their sons Robbie and Leo. During a party, Chrissy and Alice take a moment away for some quiet. Little do they know, this is the last moment before everything changes. Before Leo is accused of murdering Robbie. But what really happened?

This thriller will keep your interest through every page. I enjoyed the multiple POV as well as the time jumps and pacing. I would definitely recommend the read!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

This could have been a really good book. My issue with this title is that I had to read more than 40 of it before the story began to come together. It was full of extremely vague innuendo and it became frustration. If I hadn't agreed to read this ARC, it probably would have become a DNF for me. On the positive side, things began to come together and the story became engaging around the 50% point. Of course, a reader shouldn't have to read that far to become engaged but the good news is that this did become enjoyable. The number of secrets embedded in a small village was a stretch, but this was a work of fiction. The characters are well developed and I found their reactions to life's curve balls to be genuine and believable.. You can easily do some skimming in the first half and not miss much. I know the teasers were intended to build intrigue but it was truly too much in the first half. Bottom line, it still ended up being a worthwhile read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Helen Cooper’s “My Darling Boy” is a gripping psychological thriller that delves deep into the complexities of grief, blame, and the dark undercurrents of a small village community. Set in the seemingly tranquil English village of Little Melham, the novel unravels a web of secrets and lies that have festered for years.

The story centers on Chrissy Dean, a pub owner whose life is shattered when her son Leo kills Robbie, the son of her former best friend Alice Lowe, with a single, devastating punch. This tragic event sets off a chain reaction, exposing long-buried secrets and testing the limits of forgiveness and redemption.

Cooper’s narrative is taut and twisty, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the mystery unfolds. Her portrayal of the village is vivid and atmospheric, capturing the claustrophobic nature of small-town life where everyone knows everyone else’s business. The tension between Chrissy and Alice is palpable, and Cooper expertly explores the themes of guilt and revenge that drive the story forward.

The characters in “My Darling Boy” are richly developed and deeply flawed, making them relatable and compelling. Chrissy’s journey from a grieving mother to a woman determined to uncover the truth is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Alice, on the other hand, is a complex character whose pain and anger are palpable, adding depth to the narrative.

One of the standout aspects of the novel is Cooper’s ability to craft unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, another layer is revealed, adding to the suspense and intrigue. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that the story never loses momentum.

“My Darling Boy” is a masterful psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. Helen Cooper’s skillful storytelling and complex characterizations make this novel a standout. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Cooper’s work or new to her writing, this book promises an unforgettable reading experience.

This was just OK for me. It didn't read like a thriller, the constant year changes were a little hard to follow, and the most of the characters, while pretty well-defined, were not inherently likable. The ending felt rushed and not too believable.

Did it keep my interest? Yes, for the most part. Would I read more from the author? Yes, I would give the author another shot.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

My Darling Boy is an edge of your seat thriller type book. It has twists, deceit, family dynamics and it’s all brought together very nicely. I highly recommend this book especially since I read it in one day!

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam, Helen Cooper and NetGalley for the eARC.

#MyDarlingBoy #NetGalley
Awesome. 5 ⭐
Helen Cooper’s My Darling Boy is a chilling exploration of guilt, revenge, and buried secrets in a seemingly idyllic English village. The story begins with a tragedy that tears two families apart—Leo, Chrissy's son, kills Robbie, Alice's son, with a single, devastating punch. This irreversible act shatters not only their families but the entire community. Leo is imprisoned, Chrissy loses her pub, and Alice channels her grief and rage into an obsession for justice. As Leo's parole date looms, the tension in the village reaches a breaking point. Chrissy is terrified but ready to bring her son home and start anew. However, her world is turned upside down when she arrives at the prison only to be told that Leo has already been released—and no one knows where he is. What follows is a suspenseful race against time as Chrissy grapples with her former friends, the villagers, and even Alice, who seems determined to ensure that Leo faces further punishment for his crime. Cooper masterfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The layers of suspense build through alternating perspectives, revealing not only the raw pain of both mothers but also the dark secrets each family harbors. Alice’s deep resentment and Chrissy’s desperate search for her son form the emotional core of the story, examining the lengths a mother will go to protect or avenge her child. The close-knit village atmosphere serves as an excellent backdrop for the unfolding drama, adding an unsettling layer where everyone knows each other’s business, and the lines between justice and vengeance blur. The dynamics between Chrissy and Alice, once friends and now enemies, are poignantly portrayed, showcasing how a singular act of violence can forever change relationships and redefine love.
I inhaled it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for giving me an advance copy.

Whoo-wee!!! This was an emotional read. Yes, it is a thriller, but more an exploration of friendship, grief and just relationships in general. Chrissy and Alice are best friends. their sons, Leo and Robbie are also best friends. Leo pushes Robbie and he dies. Leo goes to prison and the mothers' friendship is ruined. Leo gets out, disappears These events have the entire small town involved and a lot of secrets start coming out. What exactly happened? There is a lot to keep up with, but it all pays off! I loved the characterization, and the grief of both women is really felt. I also loved the English countryside setting. I felt like I was there. I loved this authors' previous novel; The Couple in the Photo and this one is a worthy story too. I can't wait for more!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Helen Cooper and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC.

I will post my review to Amazon, Facebook and other retail and social media sites upon publication day.

For me, this was emotionally heartbreaking to read. There is a thrillery vibe for sure, but there is also drama and suspense and just a lot of emotion. I can't even begin to imagine what these two women and their families went through and how devastating and detrimental it was to their friendship. There were plenty of strings to pull at as this all unraveled, and I was transfixed as it all played out to a final breathtaking end.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC.
This is a very good book; I wanted to know what exactly happened, but I didn't want to finish the read. It was an exhilarating ride!
The 2 mothers were very relatable, it was easy to understand why the behaved as they did. The ending had me suspending my belief a bit, but that didn't matter, I loved the book!

I was so excited when I saw this new book coming out, after reading The Couple In The Photo, I couldn’t wait to start this one.

I really enjoyed all the twists and turns, the friendship, the secrets, but especially the love between friends and family.

Very interesting and well developed characters in this twisty and fast paced psychological thriller, very entertaining and heart pacing.

I really recommend.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Helen Cooper and Putnam Books for the ARC.

Coming out 12/03/24

I received an ARC of this book from Penguin Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. Unfortunately, this thriller wasn't all that thrilling for me. Although it kept my interest, the pace was slow. I guessed the two main twists. I found the ending rushed and not really believable. Several of the characters' actions also seemed farfetched. I did, however, enjoy the descriptions of the insular small town and the English countryside scenery. I have read and enjoyed other books by this author; this one just wasn't my favorite.

This book wasn’t for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the ending seemed more sad than anything.

3.75. Having loved the Couple in the Photo by Helen Cooper, I was super excited to dive into her latest "thriller." This one focuses on two women who are best friends and whose sons are also best friends - what a wonderful thing. Until on NYE one son pushes the other who hits his head and dies. Why did he push him? Was he provoked? Now the two women don't speak and one son is in jail.

Upon release from prison after two years the mom goes to pick up her son and he is gone. He was let out of prison earlier in the day and has disappeared. The search is now on. Why did he disappear? What really happened on that NYE?

I dove right in and was quickly reading it and enjoying it very much. Then some odd things happen in the book that just didn't seem right - just seemed a bit too unbelievable for me to absolutely love this book. Questions not answered and relationships that seemed odd with no explanation. If you can look past the oddities and questions going unanswered then this book is fantastic. I still very much enjoyed this book and read it quickly.

Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Cooper andb Penguin Group (GP Putnam's Sons)

This book exceeded my expectations, even with the many characters to keep track of. It wasn’t until the very end that things started making sense. But that’s the best kind of psychological thriller, if you ask me.

After Leo accidentally kills his childhood best friend, he goes to prison for manslaughter. This one act has caused extremes of dysfunction in the small town and unwarranted hatred towards Leo’s mother. Once Leo is finally released from prison, he disappears without a trace, and this starts more chaos and rumors.

Good luck keeping up with who did what and who said what. It’s a tangled web of wrongdoings that you must pick through to get to the real reason that Leo is missing. This book rates 4 stars and I can easily recommend to thriller lovers or anyone who loves a great whodunnit. Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC.

Helen Cooper has done it again! My first experience with her work came in the form of The Couple in the Photo. A chapter in and I knew I was a fan. My Darling Boy is the second work of hers I’ve read and I’m determined to get my hands on everything else she writes.

I devoured this book in one day! My Darling Boy tells the tale of two sets of best friends and a close-knit community. When Leo kills his best friend, Robbie, it sends the entire community into a spiral. Secrets that no one could have expected surface and relationships will never be the same. This book had all the twists, turns, and even a bit of satisfaction. 10/10! You’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t pick it up.

An emotional and heartfelt story about family bonds and loss. Cooper’s sensitive portrayal of grief and healing offers a touching and memorable reading experience.

This gripped me from the beginning and just wouldn’t let up. Every time I thought I understood what was happening there was another surprise. So many secrets that should have been shared. So many decisions that shouldn’t have been made. Sometimes really bad things happen to good people, and it changes how they see themselves and others. This is the story of friendships, relationships and marriages that are destroyed and how the truth can finally start the healing process.

Set in a small little village in England, My Darling Boy asks the question of forgiveness. Two best friends, and their two sons were as close as peas in a pod. But when Chrissy's son Leo killed Alice's son Robbie in the village pub there friendship ends. It's several years later and Leo is released from prison. The villagers are up in arms and Chrissy is receiving threatening letters. It all comes to a head when she goes to pick up her son and he has disappeared.

Where has Leo gone? Who can she convince to help her search for him? Cooper keeps the story moving as you ask yourself - what would you do?
#penguin #helencooper #mydarlingboy

On New Year’s Eve, best buds Leo and Robbie get into a fight resulting in Robbie’s death. Leo is convicted of manslaughter, and is about to be paroled after serving only 2 years, and the residents of his small town mount a campaign of harassment to convince his mother to move away. But when Leo is released from prison, he promptly disappears, and the small town secrets come to light. My Darling Boy focuses on the mothers of the two boys involved in the fight, once the closest of friends and now bitter enemies. As the plot evolves however, more and more layers of secrets emerge, and the book takes a turn into soap-opera territory, and it feels like overkill as the reader is teased with so many subplots that it gets frustrating. Eventually all the loose ends come together, and it’s a quick moving, though convoluted book, but definitely worth a read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.