What can I say about this book which caused my head to spin, my brain to rattle in my skull trying to figure out what I feel?!!
The story of Connie was a total mind fuck. I felt sad at her betrayal, shocked at her actions and absolute anger, burning hot lava spewing out of me, against the man, the husband who was the root cause of evil, the philanderer. He escaped scot free, he got to eat his cake and have it too.
The book starts out as a thriller then gets a bit philosophical with the paragraphs of forgiveness. Connie is in a mental facility awaiting trial, for driving into the river with 2 children, both apparently critical. The shock causes amnesia, and the forensic psychologist, Emma or Dr R, has to then peek into her brain, catch that single thread which would cause the knots of memory to untangle and flow out…
The entire book is the story of Connie both in the facility and in the days months years preceding that. One casual meet in the playground causes the door to open a crack and the snake is left with the temptation to slide right in and make its home. The old residents have to then move out or try to kill the snake. What do you think happens then? Who wins? Read the book to know.
The story has many niggles, description of her life at the psychiatric facility is more than the friendship turned bad. For me the story is too disjointed, not cohesive. There were pages on forgiveness, I am not very sure if that is even possible. My sense of justice did not like that only Connie suffers, the perpetrators escape. The reveals in the story are fabulous, they come in the latter half.
The book captivated me, incited my emotions, not for the narrator but for the infidel husband, who was never the main part of the story… Well, it was an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Transworld Digital, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Natalie Daniels is the pseudonym for screenwriter, author and actress Clara Salaman who you may recognise as DS Claire Stanton from The Bill. She lives in London and in Northern Spain.
Connie and Ness met in the park while their children played. As they talked, they realised they were neighbours. Perhaps it was only natural that they and their families would become entirely inseparable.
But when Ness’s marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at Connie’s house all the time. Connie doesn’t have a moment to herself, no time alone with her husband, not a second to chat to her kids.
It’s all too much. Something has to give.
Connie has woken up in a psychiatric hospital. They say she committed a terrible crime but she says she can’t remember a thing.
Publication date: 24th November 2018
Publisher: Transworld Digital
49 Responses
You have tempted me to check out this title. I like books that evoke such different emotions. Fab review, Shalini.
Yeah anger was foremost
This was a different read which just made me so angry 😡
It’s the first time I’ve seen you use the f word! 😳
Hahaha I use it occasionally first in reviews perhaps 😂😂 well the book certainly brought it on
Sounds cool..great review 🙂
Thanks Victoria… It was a good 📙
Great review!
Thanks Jaymi💖
Another great review, Shalini. Sounds like an emotional roller coaster of a ride. Hope you have an enjoyable week! 🙂
I am reading only Christmas books… Hence I am all cozied up
I think this one would have me stamping my little foot and turning the air blue with invectives
I did too… Hated the husband… He looked so pleased in the book. 😡
Great review, Shalini!
Thank you Darinda💖
I am also very picky about how things go in relationships and forgiveness. I am particularly picky about hospitals and psychiatric facilities.
I didn’t really get the feeling from blurb that I was there would be so much of a hospital life description
Ok I would like to read the book
I don’t forgive infidelity too
I too am that way. Having been treated that way before, I get upset when I see it or read about it. Though it makes me appreciate what I have more.
The book sounds interesting. Great review!
Thank you it is ♥️
Wow, I love books like this, I’ll definitely check it out.
Thanks Kitty ♥️
What a terrific passionate review! You’ve got me wanting to read this now!
I barely got accepted for this.. The publishers were kind to grant me this after release too😂💖
The husband who would get away with it would make me feel it was all very unfair as well. Great review!
Thanks Inge💖 I agree
The evil husband again. Glad you mostly enjoyed the thrilling read though.
The evil husband escaped unscathed 😡😡 well most of them do in real life 😂😂
Sigh. 🤷🏻♀️
Well, THAT got my attention! Wonderful review, Shalini.
Thanks Jonetta.. It is always wonderful when I read your comments 💕
Sounds fantastic!
Thank you so much ❤️
Ooh I love the way you described this, Shalini!!! A real brain-rattler!!! 💕💕
Brain-rattler aw shucks I didn’t get that word so went for the first one in my mind 😂😂😂😂
Awesome review!
Been eyeing this one up on amazon for a while now.
Like the sound of thriller mixed with philosophical stuff.
I am sure you will enjoy it completely 💕
Oooooh, this one looks interesting! I think I’ll have it to my TBR.
This was different and it rattled my brain
Tell us how you really feel Shalini. 😉😘 I think I will pass on this one, I do not want to feel that much anger while I am reading. At least it evoked a lot of emotions.
Hahaha… Carla the husband went scot free hence I was angry hehehe😂😂
I love how you share your emotions about the books you review.
I am just an emotional girl… 😂 😂
Nothing wrong with that.
😘😘💖💖