Digital Reads Reviews

This was a perfect thriller where the short snappy chapters made me nearly inhale the book.

High school was more the political ground than ever, and Claire wanting to fit in and keep her perfect appearance did something bad and damaged someone. That boomeranged years later when she thought she had the perfect family and career.

The book started with the perfect prologue which had me looking at the author Karen Osman with new eyes. She knew the right words to pull me in. It was like a hook dangling in front of me, luring me away from my routine. I am weak willed like that. I couldn’t resist.

The writing was perfect where every chapter made me feel as if a shadow of the past was dogging my steps, snapping at my feet to make me read faster. The swirling winds buffeted me and pushed me to fall apart when the book reached its zenith.

Past always has a hold on the future especially if it is a bad deed. And the author brought it out perfectly. The pace was kept steady throughout the book with hints about Claire, added at every chapter which beguiled me completely.

And the characters, where do I begin with? Claire’s need for perfection had me shaking my head, but the inner small sliver of me had to acknowledge I too have been guilty of that vice. The unraveling and fear and dread were the emotions acutely felt by me reflecting off Claire.

A perfect breakfast read which had me so enthralled and eager to get to the end that I missed my bus to work. Ah well… The traffic jam excuse always works

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

All my reviews can be read here

Award-winning author, entrepreneur, and luxury travel journalist and editor, Karen has lived the expat life for almost twenty years across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Originally from the United Kingdom, Karen has built an impressive enterprise combining her two passions: luxury travel and the English language.

Her latest achievement is securing a three-book deal with UK-based Head of Zeus publishing house following her win at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Montegrappa Novel Writing Award 2016 with her crime-thriller novel, The Good Mother, currently available for pre-order and out in October 2017.

She has also been included in 2017’s edition of Ahlan’s Hot 100 People, an accolade recognising the pioneers and game-changers shaping the UAE’s social and cultural landscape.
In addition to being an award-winning author, Karen founded niche communications company Travel Ink in 2011, providing content writing and strategy, public relations, social media, training, and translation services to hotels, airlines, and tourism establishments.

Karen uses her commercial experience in luxury hospitality, combined with her academic qualifications, which include a BA in Linguistics and English Language from the University of Durham and a Teaching (TEFL) Certificate from the University of Cambridge.

In her role as Managing Director, Karen oversees a team of writers, editors, and PR and social media consultants to deliver quality content for exceptional results. As a testament to its success, Travel Ink was shortlisted as a finalist for the SME Advisor Stars of Business Awards in two categories (Hospitality & Tourism and Communications) just one year after the company’s inception.

Karen has been recognised for her achievements in the areas of entrepreneurship, luxury travel, and the written word and has featured in various regional and international publications including Hello!, Stylist, Forbes, The National, Ahlan!, and Gulf News to name a few.

She also holds a number of note-worthy positions including Travel and Tourism Chair Person for the British Business Group, writer and moderator for Arabian Travel Market, and Vice-President of the Kaizen chapter of Business Network International.

Karen lives in Dubai with her husband and two young sons

Nothing has felt right since she told the lie…
Claire Carmichael leads a charmed life. She has two beautiful sons, Jamie and Joshua, and a handsome and successful husband who loves her. She has been taught well by her mother – the most important thing Claire has is her good reputation.

He said, she said…

Even when she was in school, Claire had it all. She was clever, likable, and after passing the initiation tests, she was welcomed into the society of popular girls – The Queen Bees. So when a scandal threatened to ruin Claire’s reputation, the Queen Bees closed rank to protect her, no matter who else got hurt.

Never forgotten, never forgiven…

Claire may have moved on from her school days, but for one person who she hurt irreparably, those memories are as fresh as blood. And all it takes to reap their revenge, is ONE PERFECT LIE.

Publication Date:

Publisher: Aria