Quite a dark tale of bullying and sexual abuse.

Richard and Amanda were cousins, there was something off between them. Amanda was a bully who abused Richard as a kid. And now she had apparently come to look after their grandmother. And the games continued with drugs, alcohol, and sex.

My first book by author AM Stirling, the story was not for the faint-hearted. The book had dark overtones, more than what I could normally stomach. Both the characters were twisted, and the games they played were without a conscience.

The writing showed the darker nature of human psyche. The plot had unexpected twists, some of them were dark shockers. This family had plenty of secrets which led to both the characters being damaged. Incest and child abuse were present, and that triggered my nightmares, so I wished there was a trigger warning in the blurb.

Definitely not a breakfast read. Only for readers who enjoy such dark reads.

I received a free ARC from Emma and the author, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.

All my reviews can be read here

When Richard meets his cousin Amanda for the first time in twenty years, he’s still afraid of her; she bullied him throughout his childhood and sexually abused him when they were teenagers.

He owns a struggling art gallery that only survives because his wealthy grandmother pays for it. But now Amanda’s back in his life, things look set to change. She’s out to make trouble, drugging Richard with Rohypnol, faking a burglary and trying to persuade their grandmother to change her will.

Richard’s heard a rumour she murdered her mother. Fearing for his grandmother’s life and his inheritance, he decides to give Amanda a dose of her own medicine.

Publication Date: 1st October 2019