I was looking forward to some sort of domestic thriller, but it wasn't quite there. The story of Karen and Nick, moving to the country to escape from her demons, and his cheating, had so many chances for more twists to occur, and some did, but they were left with the ends still loose. The characters were great, the descriptions fantastic, but the story was lacking. Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for the ARC. I rather enjoyed reading this book but am finding it really quite difficult to describe it. Not sure if it's purely a relationship drama, perhaps a touch of psychological thriller creeping in, or not? Either way, it's a good read, very well-written, although I felt perhaps a little let-down by the ending in one way, but then I think it really was the only way it could end. Karen drives through the countryside to meet husband Nick at their new cottage in an isolated hamlet. Nick has spared no expense in decorating and furnishing their new home with the best of everything, employing the expertise of local crafts-people. Karen can hardly believe it - Nick should be completely out of his comfort-zone; moving from a busy life in London, their friends and his work-place for the countryside - a completely fresh start to try and heal the wounds of the past. Now, this past is gradually revealed through the narrative as Nick and Karen entertain their best friends from London, Jude and Dave, and try to integrate into village life - where Cath, a bereaved partner, befriends her. Karen is a talented artist - a ceramicist, and Nick has even provided a purpose-built studio for her in the garden. She seems so grateful for all the work he has put into this fresh-start and berates herself for even thinking of making any criticism of his efforts, but basically Nick is selfish - he's looking after his own interests, and has plans. There are moments when strange things occur which has Karen doubting her mental stability, touching on the psychological aspect - however, these never seem to be resolved, and appear to have nothing to do with - well - anything? Is Nick responsible? who knows? I know I'm being deliberately obtuse - to reveal the back-story to their present situation would spoil the fact that you need to read the book to obtain it. Suffice it to say, it's an intriguing read, very well-written but leaves the reader with too many unanswered questions along the way.

I read this book courtesy of NetGalley. I am really not sure about this book. It is well written and had some great descriptive passages but it just seemed quite meandering and without a real plot. The main characters were just not likeable with Nick a suave controlling husband with a quick temper and Karen the rather flaky wife who over reacts to most things especially anything concerning their son. Some story lines and characters just seemed to just peter out without developing fully and on the whole there are no answers. One wonders if it's just a book about mental illness but it just confused me which is a shame as I enjoyed The People at Number 9. Not for me I'm afraid despite being well written.

This is about a couple who move to a quiet, scenic village in the countryside after moving from the hustle and bustle of London to escape the drama they left behind and to try and repair their tattered marriage. They make friends with some of their neighbours and small little incidents start to occur. Karen has to deal with her paranoia and her husband’s flirtations with the local ladies. I still do not know what to make of this book. I thought it was going to be a thriller after previously reading the book description but it was more about a troubled marriage and Karen’s insecurities. It is very slow moving and nothing really seems to happen. I kept reading onwards until I got to the very end and still nothing had really occurred of interest. There were also no real answers to any of the minor events that took place in the book. It is very well written and the author captured Karen’s feelings perfectly but I just felt very disappointed with the whole plot. Thank you Netgalley and HQ for letting me read the ARC in exchange for an honest review but personally this was not for me.