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The Family Secret
What would you do to hide your past?
Years after that horrifying night, my life has finally become something to envy. I have a loving husband, a wonderful teenage daughter, and a beautiful home. It’s a shame none of it will last.
A lucky escape from a hit and run leaves me sleeping with one eye open. Not only did the hit feel deliberate, but in the following weeks, someone is following me – threatening me – and nobody takes it seriously until my husband vanishes into thin air.
Has he been in an accident, or has someone taken him? I believe it’s the latter, but who would do such a thing? I have a vague idea, though I refuse to believe a big mistake from long ago will be my undoing. It’s been years, and only my family knows the truth about what happened that night. Why, then, does it feel like my demons have risen from the grave?
I almost don’t want to find out.
Almost…
THE FAMILY SECRET is the new psychological thriller from Bristol author AJ Carter, whose books are bursting with mystery, danger, and multiple dark twists.
Years after that horrifying night, my life has finally become something to envy. I have a loving husband, a wonderful teenage daughter, and a beautiful home. It’s a shame none of it will last.
A lucky escape from a hit and run leaves me sleeping with one eye open. Not only did the hit feel deliberate, but in the following weeks, someone is following me – threatening me – and nobody takes it seriously until my husband vanishes into thin air.
Has he been in an accident, or has someone taken him? I believe it’s the latter, but who would do such a thing? I have a vague idea, though I refuse to believe a big mistake from long ago will be my undoing. It’s been years, and only my family knows the truth about what happened that night. Why, then, does it feel like my demons have risen from the grave?
I almost don’t want to find out.
Almost…
THE FAMILY SECRET is the new psychological thriller from Bristol author AJ Carter, whose books are bursting with mystery, danger, and multiple dark twists.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2023
1776 people are currently reading
1194 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Carter
30 books229 followersAJ Carter is a psychological thriller author from Bristol, England. His first book, The Family Secret, is praised by critics around the world, and he continues to regularly deliver suspenseful novels you can’t put down.
Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP
Sign up to his mailing list today and be the first to hear about upcoming releases and hot new deals for existing books. You’ll also receive a FREE digital copy of The Couple Downstairs – an unputdownable domestic thriller you won’t find anywhere else in the world: https://BookHip.com/WAXFLLP
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
May 31, 2023
The characters are well developed, and the plot is good. But I didn't like jumping between, then and now, every other chapter. The second have of the story seemed to drag on.
September 4, 2024
The Family Secret is easily the most preposterous book I’ve ever read; it may be the most preposterous book ever written. This review will contain spoilers, so if you want to waste your time reading this book, don’t say you weren’t warned.
The story takes place in the UK and is narrated in alternating chapters by Jen, age 15, and Jen as an adult approaching age 40. The young Jen had a slightly older sister Mandy, a best friend Kyle, and a boyfriend Jason. Jen and Jason are in love and planning to run away together. Mandy and Kyle try to stop them. A fight breaks out between Jason and Kyle, a fight which, at page 98, Kyle instigated. Not only instigated, but escalated by drawing a knife on Jason. While both fighting boys were giving as good as they got, Jason manages to get the better of Kyle and looks as if he will most certainly choke him to death. Panicking in the heat of the moment, and with no motive other than to stop him from killing her best friend, Jen picks up a rock and strikes Jason on the head, inadvertently and unintentionally killing him. A clear case of involuntary manslaughter if ever there was one. All three of them — Kyle included — agree to dispose of Jason’s body in the sea. It was to be their secret.
Mandy apparently can’t live with the guilt and leaves a suicide note, though her body was never found. Grief stricken and distraught, Jen tells Kyle that she is running away, this time alone, but he volunteers to run away with her. Over time they transition from best friends to lovers, they get married, they buy a house, they have a daughter named Lily, all the while saddled with the secret of what happened to Jason.
Fifteen years pass and Jen and Kyle are living what appears to be a normal happy life with their daughter. Then out of the blue after all this time, a series of sinister events befalls them. Jen is hit by a car which flees the scene, a dead cat is left on their doorstep, Lily receives a threatening note at school, someone sets fire to her locker, and Kyle disappears without a trace.
Kyle, we learn, was secretly in love with Jason’s sister Jade back when Jen and Jason were planning to run away together. And after all these years he’s still in love with Jade. Jade and Kyle hold Jen solely responsible for Jason’s death and they plot their revenge. It’s the revenge where the book, up until now simply absurd, leaves reality behind and becomes utterly absurd. Kyle was all these years only pretending to love Jen. To punish Jen he abducted Mandy and forged her suicide note so Jen would think she killed herself. He and Jade kept Mandy shackled in a makeshift prison for over fifteen years. Finally, without any explanation why they waited so long, Jade and Kyle decide to kill Jen, who is saved at the last second by the most unlikely deus ex machina.
The upshot is that Kyle, Jen’s loyal best friend, supposed lover, husband and the father of their child, is a psychopath, who at the behest of his true love Jade was devoting his entire adult life to ruin the lives of his wife and daughter over an accidental death more than fifteen years ago for which he was at least equally responsible. After Kyle’s arrest, the book ends with Jen ready to spend the rest of her life behind bars, which is not by a long shot the proper punishment for her crime, even in the UK.
Like I said, arguably the most preposterous book ever written.
The story takes place in the UK and is narrated in alternating chapters by Jen, age 15, and Jen as an adult approaching age 40. The young Jen had a slightly older sister Mandy, a best friend Kyle, and a boyfriend Jason. Jen and Jason are in love and planning to run away together. Mandy and Kyle try to stop them. A fight breaks out between Jason and Kyle, a fight which, at page 98, Kyle instigated. Not only instigated, but escalated by drawing a knife on Jason. While both fighting boys were giving as good as they got, Jason manages to get the better of Kyle and looks as if he will most certainly choke him to death. Panicking in the heat of the moment, and with no motive other than to stop him from killing her best friend, Jen picks up a rock and strikes Jason on the head, inadvertently and unintentionally killing him. A clear case of involuntary manslaughter if ever there was one. All three of them — Kyle included — agree to dispose of Jason’s body in the sea. It was to be their secret.
Mandy apparently can’t live with the guilt and leaves a suicide note, though her body was never found. Grief stricken and distraught, Jen tells Kyle that she is running away, this time alone, but he volunteers to run away with her. Over time they transition from best friends to lovers, they get married, they buy a house, they have a daughter named Lily, all the while saddled with the secret of what happened to Jason.
Fifteen years pass and Jen and Kyle are living what appears to be a normal happy life with their daughter. Then out of the blue after all this time, a series of sinister events befalls them. Jen is hit by a car which flees the scene, a dead cat is left on their doorstep, Lily receives a threatening note at school, someone sets fire to her locker, and Kyle disappears without a trace.
Kyle, we learn, was secretly in love with Jason’s sister Jade back when Jen and Jason were planning to run away together. And after all these years he’s still in love with Jade. Jade and Kyle hold Jen solely responsible for Jason’s death and they plot their revenge. It’s the revenge where the book, up until now simply absurd, leaves reality behind and becomes utterly absurd. Kyle was all these years only pretending to love Jen. To punish Jen he abducted Mandy and forged her suicide note so Jen would think she killed herself. He and Jade kept Mandy shackled in a makeshift prison for over fifteen years. Finally, without any explanation why they waited so long, Jade and Kyle decide to kill Jen, who is saved at the last second by the most unlikely deus ex machina.
The upshot is that Kyle, Jen’s loyal best friend, supposed lover, husband and the father of their child, is a psychopath, who at the behest of his true love Jade was devoting his entire adult life to ruin the lives of his wife and daughter over an accidental death more than fifteen years ago for which he was at least equally responsible. After Kyle’s arrest, the book ends with Jen ready to spend the rest of her life behind bars, which is not by a long shot the proper punishment for her crime, even in the UK.
Like I said, arguably the most preposterous book ever written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2024
Twist that left me 🙊
4⭐️
do I know anyone who wants to hurt me? I hate to ask it, but I hate the answer even more. Because if you go back far enough into my past, the answer is yes. There are plenty of people who would love to see me dead.
When a car accident changes Jenny's whole life, she starts questioning everything. Including her past mistakes.
My Thoughts
Idk why, but I LOVE when books have social media excerpts. When part of the book is told as if you're just scrolling through people's comments and reactions, I get a little kick. Properly says something about the times we live in and the way society has changed, that this style of writing has become slightly common place. Oh well, I'm here for it.
The book is told in three different parts. Jenny's now, Jenny's then, and a social media group discussion of Jenny's now. I think I enjoyed Jenny's then the best. The ominous build-up to the "event" that changes everything. The first sparks of young love. The hope of the future and the desperation of teenage desire. I truly felt drawn to her in these pages.
It's very easy to sympathize with past Jenny. She is only 15. One mistake has changed the direction of her entire life. The people around her (friend and sister) lay the complete blame on her when it never would have happened if they hadn't started it. She is young and overwhelmed with no adult she feels she can turn to. I wanted to hug her. She is only a year older than my own child. Past Jenny is written beautifully with depth and realism. The kind of child we all were or all knew.
Now Jenny is a little dramatic. Not entirely wrongly. She has been through a lot. She knows what the world can hold. She has seen firsthand what her choices can lead to. My one hold back with the adult character is she never realized that others shared the blame in her family secret. A lot would have been different if she had taken accountability and held others accountable as well. As she grew up, she should have realized this.
Without going into detail or saying anymore because it will give it away, Kyle's character traits are not quite believable. They don't quite make sense.
I have to say this, i was completely wrong on the who of the first twist. The second twist left me speechless. It made sense but still had me reeling. But the LAST twist..... wow!!🤯🫶
Short chapters and easy reading definitely put this author on my map. I'm excited to read on to his other works.
4⭐️
do I know anyone who wants to hurt me? I hate to ask it, but I hate the answer even more. Because if you go back far enough into my past, the answer is yes. There are plenty of people who would love to see me dead.
When a car accident changes Jenny's whole life, she starts questioning everything. Including her past mistakes.
My Thoughts
Idk why, but I LOVE when books have social media excerpts. When part of the book is told as if you're just scrolling through people's comments and reactions, I get a little kick. Properly says something about the times we live in and the way society has changed, that this style of writing has become slightly common place. Oh well, I'm here for it.
The book is told in three different parts. Jenny's now, Jenny's then, and a social media group discussion of Jenny's now. I think I enjoyed Jenny's then the best. The ominous build-up to the "event" that changes everything. The first sparks of young love. The hope of the future and the desperation of teenage desire. I truly felt drawn to her in these pages.
It's very easy to sympathize with past Jenny. She is only 15. One mistake has changed the direction of her entire life. The people around her (friend and sister) lay the complete blame on her when it never would have happened if they hadn't started it. She is young and overwhelmed with no adult she feels she can turn to. I wanted to hug her. She is only a year older than my own child. Past Jenny is written beautifully with depth and realism. The kind of child we all were or all knew.
Now Jenny is a little dramatic. Not entirely wrongly. She has been through a lot. She knows what the world can hold. She has seen firsthand what her choices can lead to. My one hold back with the adult character is she never realized that others shared the blame in her family secret. A lot would have been different if she had taken accountability and held others accountable as well. As she grew up, she should have realized this.
Without going into detail or saying anymore because it will give it away, Kyle's character traits are not quite believable. They don't quite make sense.
I have to say this, i was completely wrong on the who of the first twist. The second twist left me speechless. It made sense but still had me reeling. But the LAST twist..... wow!!🤯🫶
Short chapters and easy reading definitely put this author on my map. I'm excited to read on to his other works.
May 31, 2023
The secrets from Jenny's past come barreling back towards her after she is hit by a car. Then her daughter starts receiving death threats at school and her husband disappears. Could this be related to the past she and her husband has worked to hide? The book bounces from the present to her first serious teen romance to catch the readers up on the backstory.
This book started out interesting and presented some possible suspects for the recent developments but then dropped the ball the longer the book continued. Throw in a mysterious visitor, an inexplicable arson at the high school, and social media posts that seem to add nothing but filler pages and the book falls apart. An odd and twisted moral revenge twist near the end only shows playing the long game (really long) for retribution. I wanted the book to end sooner so there wouldn't be one more inane twist thrown in and fortunately I was rewarded with a remarkably short book by industry standards. Avoid this one.
This book started out interesting and presented some possible suspects for the recent developments but then dropped the ball the longer the book continued. Throw in a mysterious visitor, an inexplicable arson at the high school, and social media posts that seem to add nothing but filler pages and the book falls apart. An odd and twisted moral revenge twist near the end only shows playing the long game (really long) for retribution. I wanted the book to end sooner so there wouldn't be one more inane twist thrown in and fortunately I was rewarded with a remarkably short book by industry standards. Avoid this one.
April 22, 2024
I am mad that I stuck with this book tbh. The writing could've been better. I wonder if they even had anyone read it before publishing it. You could tell many times throughout the book that it was a Male Author writing as a female. The story went back from Present to Past and honestly, the past throughout the entire book could've been done in one chapter and then they should've just continued the story from the present on. The ending absolutely sucked and was a big let down. I just felt disappointed when I finished this book.
September 2, 2023
Characters are not even close to believable, the writing lacks sophistication, and the plot is predictable. The premise of the ridiculously slow-burn revenge plot is so unbelievable, while characters’ actions cannot be justified. A painful read.
May 19, 2023
The story line of this book was absolutely ridiculous.
September 10, 2023
I have to stop reading
These free books... theres a reason they are free... this was full of unbelievable stupid characters....pointless people who deserved all they got
These free books... theres a reason they are free... this was full of unbelievable stupid characters....pointless people who deserved all they got
February 19, 2025
First book by AJ Carter! His writing style is pretty likeable, making it an easy read.
Characters were meh. The whole thing could’ve been shorter and it is only until the last few bits do things start to happen and shape the whole story better. I have some of AJ Carter’s other books and it is safe to say that I will continue giving his books a shot!
Character: 6
Setting & Atmosphere: 6.75
Plot & Structure: 5
Style & Language: 6.75
Themes & Motifs: 6
Narrative Perspective: 6
Reading Experience: 5
Average Score: 5.64
Rating: 2/5
Goodreads Rating | Score Threshold
1 | 3.00
2 | 6.00
3 | 7.50
4 | 9.00
5 | 10.00
“This caused me to suddenly understand something about myself. I was still just a frightened little girl.”
Characters were meh. The whole thing could’ve been shorter and it is only until the last few bits do things start to happen and shape the whole story better. I have some of AJ Carter’s other books and it is safe to say that I will continue giving his books a shot!
Character: 6
Setting & Atmosphere: 6.75
Plot & Structure: 5
Style & Language: 6.75
Themes & Motifs: 6
Narrative Perspective: 6
Reading Experience: 5
Average Score: 5.64
Rating: 2/5
Goodreads Rating | Score Threshold
1 | 3.00
2 | 6.00
3 | 7.50
4 | 9.00
5 | 10.00
“This caused me to suddenly understand something about myself. I was still just a frightened little girl.”
April 25, 2023
I love this writing style by AJ Carter. The way he writes the story from different perspectives, but then somehow in all his wisdom brings it all together in the final pages and the way he does it just leaves you guessing until the very end. If you like a book with lots of twists and turns And one that forces you into a sense of security, thinking that you’ve got it sussed before you get to the end then think again because I thought this many times and I was so wrong!! Absolutely love this book and read it in one sitting. I could not put it down! Would definitely recommend to anyone loves thrillers! This is definitely the book for you!!
September 11, 2025
Good story
December 25, 2025
okay, not great
This story for me was just too convoluted, and about 4 chapters too long. I’m Sorry, just not for me
This story for me was just too convoluted, and about 4 chapters too long. I’m Sorry, just not for me
June 20, 2025
Intense, twisted, full of lies & secrets, a roller coaster of suspense! Loved it, A.J. Carter does it again
May 16, 2023
Secrets & Lies
A J Carter has delivered one of the most twisted and thought provoking psychological thrillers I have ever encountered. Written in dual time, the story presents the story of teen love, mixed with the current day ramifications.
While exploring both realities and attempting to unravel the mystery, this reader found herself also questioning life choices, family drama and secrets. The twists and shocking events kept me tied to the story line, but the writer also led me down a path if reviewing my life path.
This new venture for the author presents a glimpse into his amazing potential and has me eagerly looking for his next sojourn into suspense and darkness
A J Carter has delivered one of the most twisted and thought provoking psychological thrillers I have ever encountered. Written in dual time, the story presents the story of teen love, mixed with the current day ramifications.
While exploring both realities and attempting to unravel the mystery, this reader found herself also questioning life choices, family drama and secrets. The twists and shocking events kept me tied to the story line, but the writer also led me down a path if reviewing my life path.
This new venture for the author presents a glimpse into his amazing potential and has me eagerly looking for his next sojourn into suspense and darkness
May 22, 2023
Poor ending
I was really enjoying this book right up until the 'plot twist' oh my god, it wasn't only ridiculous, but it was unbelievable and frankly lazy. I've never been so disappointed in an ending. I only kept reading because I somehow believed the author might add another plot twist that could then make the first one some what believable.
I was really enjoying this book right up until the 'plot twist' oh my god, it wasn't only ridiculous, but it was unbelievable and frankly lazy. I've never been so disappointed in an ending. I only kept reading because I somehow believed the author might add another plot twist that could then make the first one some what believable.
May 29, 2023
The ending of this book was not only disappointing but it wasn’t even believable. It definitely didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat and in certain areas, it was slow moving. I was tempted to not finish it. Now I’m sorry I did. A girl runs away from home for the second with no good reason. It’s more than disappointing. I would not recommend this book.
August 12, 2023
Love AJ Carter this man keeps you turning pages into wee hours of the night
May 28, 2023
Just meh
The motive of the villains and their long-game actions did not make sense to me, especially the accomplice. It was just a little over the top to be believable.
The motive of the villains and their long-game actions did not make sense to me, especially the accomplice. It was just a little over the top to be believable.
October 6, 2023
Opinião: A maioria dos segredos nunca se escondem para sempre. Só se os levarmos para a vida além da morte. E existem segredos que determinam a vida de quem os esconde e de quem os rodeia. A.J Carter apresenta-nos uma estória contada a dois tempos, um segredo de família muito bem guardado durante muitos anos, que vem agora no presente atormentar quem quis esconder de todos o passado. Começa por um atropelamento e fuga sem sentido, para uma série de eventos que parecem não ser coincidência. Um marido desaparecido, uma filha atormentada e perseguida na escola faz com que a protagonista desta estória se torne o centro de atenções indesejadas e o que tanto tentou esconder durante tantos anos pode estar à beira de ser revelado… e isso pode custar a vida de todos os que ama. É um excelente Thriller psicológico com uma reviravolta final incrível e que nos deixa sem dúvida a querer ler mais. Gostei mesmo muito, como já havia gostado do “The Couple Downstairs” a TBR vai crescendo com tanto autor bom que tenho encontrado. Existe apenas em Inglês.
Eng Review: Most secrets never stay hidden forever. Only if we take them to the life beyond death. And there are secrets that determine the lives of those who hide them and those around them. A.J Carter presents us with a story told in two parts, a family secret very well kept for many years, which now comes to torment those who wanted to hide the past from everyone. It starts with a senseless hit-and-run, to a series of events that appear to be no coincidence. A missing husband, a daughter tormented and bullied at school make the protagonist of this story become the center of unwanted attention and what she tried so hard to hide for so many years could be on the verge of being revealed... and that could cost everyone their lives. the ones you love. It's an excellent psychological thriller with an incredible final twist that leaves us wanting to read more. I really liked it, as I had already liked “The Couple Downstairs”, TBR is growing with so many good authors that I have found. It only exists in English.
@bibliotecamil_insta /bibliotecamil.wordpress.com
Eng Review: Most secrets never stay hidden forever. Only if we take them to the life beyond death. And there are secrets that determine the lives of those who hide them and those around them. A.J Carter presents us with a story told in two parts, a family secret very well kept for many years, which now comes to torment those who wanted to hide the past from everyone. It starts with a senseless hit-and-run, to a series of events that appear to be no coincidence. A missing husband, a daughter tormented and bullied at school make the protagonist of this story become the center of unwanted attention and what she tried so hard to hide for so many years could be on the verge of being revealed... and that could cost everyone their lives. the ones you love. It's an excellent psychological thriller with an incredible final twist that leaves us wanting to read more. I really liked it, as I had already liked “The Couple Downstairs”, TBR is growing with so many good authors that I have found. It only exists in English.
@bibliotecamil_insta /bibliotecamil.wordpress.com
October 26, 2024
Years after that horrifying night, Jenny’s life has finally become something to envy. She has a loving husband, a wonderful teenage daughter, and a beautiful home.
These psychological thrillers from Bristol author A.J. Carter are all stand-alone novels. The Family Secret was his first novel to be published but I have read two others from him that were his third and fourth to be written.
The Family Secret follows the same format as his other books, chapters entitled “now” or “then”. Again this writing style lets the reader gain the bigger picture in a slow and steady way. However, progress is slow and this story spans two decades. The telling of this story is very slow and although the characters at the time know just what the family secret entails, the reader only gets confirmation when Lily, her teenage daughter is brought into the loop.
Events happen and there were some surprises but I did not like the ending. This sure was a very twisted family. I found The Family Secret to be an OKAY 3 star read that showed promise as a debut novel. I am pleased that I enjoyed his third and fourth books, The Killer’s Home and The Widow’s Retreat, far, far more giving them 4 and 5 stars. So for a new author his writing is improving big time with each new novel. If you wish to read a number of his books then I suggest that you read them in publication date order.
These psychological thrillers from Bristol author A.J. Carter are all stand-alone novels. The Family Secret was his first novel to be published but I have read two others from him that were his third and fourth to be written.
The Family Secret follows the same format as his other books, chapters entitled “now” or “then”. Again this writing style lets the reader gain the bigger picture in a slow and steady way. However, progress is slow and this story spans two decades. The telling of this story is very slow and although the characters at the time know just what the family secret entails, the reader only gets confirmation when Lily, her teenage daughter is brought into the loop.
Events happen and there were some surprises but I did not like the ending. This sure was a very twisted family. I found The Family Secret to be an OKAY 3 star read that showed promise as a debut novel. I am pleased that I enjoyed his third and fourth books, The Killer’s Home and The Widow’s Retreat, far, far more giving them 4 and 5 stars. So for a new author his writing is improving big time with each new novel. If you wish to read a number of his books then I suggest that you read them in publication date order.
April 27, 2023
WOW The Family Secret a wonderful psychological domestic thriller by A J Carter kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through and I could not put this book down until I got to the very last line. This is the author's debut thriller.
The past catches up with Jenny Lewis who thought she was living the dream with a beautiful teenage daughter, Lily and husband, Kyle whom she adores.
The story starts in the present day, then back to Jenny's teenage years where dark secrets remain hidden but will surface to the present day, causing Jenny and her daughter, Lilly's life to be in danger.
A J Carter keeps the suspense and thrills racing along and there are many twists along the way.
The past catches up with Jenny Lewis who thought she was living the dream with a beautiful teenage daughter, Lily and husband, Kyle whom she adores.
The story starts in the present day, then back to Jenny's teenage years where dark secrets remain hidden but will surface to the present day, causing Jenny and her daughter, Lilly's life to be in danger.
A J Carter keeps the suspense and thrills racing along and there are many twists along the way.
May 27, 2023
The Family Secret is an amazing story written by A. J. Carter that has so many secrets going on that it keeps the readers interest. The characters are strong and well developed. The storyline will definitely have you scratching your head. I had a few things figured out but didn't see the big reveal when it hit. So shocking.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
I was not given a complimentary copy of this book to read and review. I was not approached to post a favorable response and all opinions are my own. I have rated this story with five stars for meeting my expectations of a wonderful story that I can highly recommend to others.
June 27, 2023
this is genuinely a very enjoyable book. i like the storyline, it was very fast paced and the author’s writing style is pretty good.
however, i am in a love hate relationship with that ending. also, although it did keep me in the “suspense” the entire time, there were times where i just wanted to be done with the book.
i would recommend this book for people who are new to thrillers and don’t want something too complicated to read or people who are just looking for a quick read. the characters are pretty well written and there were a lot of twists and turns that i simply did not see coming.
very nice book overall but it’s just me (i feel like) who didn’t exactly enjoyed how it ended
however, i am in a love hate relationship with that ending. also, although it did keep me in the “suspense” the entire time, there were times where i just wanted to be done with the book.
i would recommend this book for people who are new to thrillers and don’t want something too complicated to read or people who are just looking for a quick read. the characters are pretty well written and there were a lot of twists and turns that i simply did not see coming.
very nice book overall but it’s just me (i feel like) who didn’t exactly enjoyed how it ended
November 2, 2023
This is a well thought out book. I really enjoyed the writing. The plot kept me reading at a quick pace. The reveal was a bit of a shocker, and, in some ways, it didn’t make sense. I also didn’t care for the ending. Besides being a downer, it could have been further developed with a nice bow. Instead we are left with the thought that there was a sad ending. And that is why I docked a star. In fact, I would normally dock more stars when the ending irritated me, but in way, I understood it. It just wasn’t what I wanted. Another reason I only docked one star is because this was still a very good book. It went deeper than most books with this type of genre. I would definitely recommend it!
June 6, 2023
Jenny and Mandy were the best of friends, not just sisters. Then Jason entered Jenny's life and things changed. Kyle, the girls' friend, was trying to stop Jenny from seeing Jason. One night, the unthinkable happened and Jason was gone. It remained a secret for years, even causing Mandy to commit suicide. Kyle and Jenny married, and have a daughter Lily. One night after attending a Halloween party, Jenny was hit by a car. That was only the beginning of the nightmare. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
November 6, 2025
3.5
I’m all for a far fetched plot twist, as LONNNGG as the explanation backs it up. And this one didn’t. I love a drawn out revenge scheme but this was way out of left field and just left me reeling and a bit mad. Out of all the possible people to make it a grand plot twist, this felt a little weak and so did the passion behind WHYYY they chose to do it.
I’m also not a fan of when the PAST/BACK THEN chapters are through the lens of the current POV. I love when it’s happening REAL TIME but this had a lot “if only I knew then what I know now”.
I’m all for a far fetched plot twist, as LONNNGG as the explanation backs it up. And this one didn’t. I love a drawn out revenge scheme but this was way out of left field and just left me reeling and a bit mad. Out of all the possible people to make it a grand plot twist, this felt a little weak and so did the passion behind WHYYY they chose to do it.
I’m also not a fan of when the PAST/BACK THEN chapters are through the lens of the current POV. I love when it’s happening REAL TIME but this had a lot “if only I knew then what I know now”.
May 27, 2023
A now and then book. Jumps back and forth. Jen a young teen had a boyfriend her sister and family didnt like at all. She refused to stop seeing him. Mandy felt responsible for her as she was a year older. She followed them one night and thats when it started. Something happened and they all decided to stay quiet about it and keep it amongst themselves.Tho Jenny did finally tell her daughter Lily later on- was she wrong ?
July 10, 2023
Fast paced
I read this in a day. I had to find out what happened. But two thirds through the book or more the story became just too far fetched to believe. I just can’t believe the Kyle story at all. His character had such a change it was like a completely different person. I kept reading though it was like a completely different story, with no one behaving as their character would.
I read this in a day. I had to find out what happened. But two thirds through the book or more the story became just too far fetched to believe. I just can’t believe the Kyle story at all. His character had such a change it was like a completely different person. I kept reading though it was like a completely different story, with no one behaving as their character would.
February 25, 2024
Didn't like the ending
Overall a very interesting book. I just didn't care for the ending. It's amazing how someone can disguise their feelings for so long. There are all kinds of secrets that come to light towards the end. Some will be totally unexpected. I am not one to enjoy the now and then perspective but this one was very good. Jenny makes a terrible decision one night that haunts her for years. The repercussions are hard to live with.
Overall a very interesting book. I just didn't care for the ending. It's amazing how someone can disguise their feelings for so long. There are all kinds of secrets that come to light towards the end. Some will be totally unexpected. I am not one to enjoy the now and then perspective but this one was very good. Jenny makes a terrible decision one night that haunts her for years. The repercussions are hard to live with.
June 24, 2024
My 1st AJ Carter book
I'm a Freida McFadden fan but ran out of her books to read so started this, my first AJ Carter book. I found myself getting hooked and reading it within a few days. The book does go back and forth between past and present almost every chapter but I found it was pieced well and not hard to follow. The ending was unpredictable which is what I like. I will certainly be reading more books by AJ Carter!
I'm a Freida McFadden fan but ran out of her books to read so started this, my first AJ Carter book. I found myself getting hooked and reading it within a few days. The book does go back and forth between past and present almost every chapter but I found it was pieced well and not hard to follow. The ending was unpredictable which is what I like. I will certainly be reading more books by AJ Carter!
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