What do you think?
Rate this book
Be Careful What You Wish For
Tara leads a quiet life. Then she meets Cassie.
When Tara Ryan gets the results of a DNA test one rainy afternoon, all her dreams come true. She discovers she’s not an only child, she has a long-lost sister, Cassie.
What she doesn’t know is that Cassie is homeless, strung out, and praying for a break.
As socially awkward Tara lets street-wise Cassie into her life, shocking secrets come to the surface – a dark web of illegal adoptions, betrayal and death. All rooted in a horrifying children's home scandal which occurred many years before.
Has Tara's mother been deceiving her for her entire life, or is Tara looking to the wrong person for the truth?
Someone is lying - and they must pay the ultimate price.
Be Careful What You Wish For is a gripping tale of lies and deceit that will astound and enthrall until the very last page.
When Tara Ryan gets the results of a DNA test one rainy afternoon, all her dreams come true. She discovers she’s not an only child, she has a long-lost sister, Cassie.
What she doesn’t know is that Cassie is homeless, strung out, and praying for a break.
As socially awkward Tara lets street-wise Cassie into her life, shocking secrets come to the surface – a dark web of illegal adoptions, betrayal and death. All rooted in a horrifying children's home scandal which occurred many years before.
Has Tara's mother been deceiving her for her entire life, or is Tara looking to the wrong person for the truth?
Someone is lying - and they must pay the ultimate price.
Be Careful What You Wish For is a gripping tale of lies and deceit that will astound and enthrall until the very last page.
- GenresIreland
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2023
409 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
August 5, 2023
when Tara Ryan gets the results of a DNA test one rainy afternoon, all her dreams come true. She discovers she's not an only child, she has a long-lost sister, Cassie. What she doesn't know is Cassie is homeless, strung out and praying for a break. As socially awkward Tara lets street wise Cassie into her life, shocking secrets come to the surface - a dark web of illegal adoptions, betrayal and death. All rooted in a horrifying children's home scandal which occurred many years before. Has Tara's mother been deceiving her for her entire life, or is Tara looking to the wrong person for the truth?
The pace is slow to begin with, but it soon picks up. The more I got into this book, the more I needed to find out. When Tara discovers she has a sister, she wants to take care of Cassie. But it's not long before secrets and lies begin to surface. There were so many questions going through my mind. I did guess the villain quite early, but that never takes anything away from my enjoyment of a good story. The characters are well developed. My only criticism is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #LorraineMurphy for my ARC of #BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor in exchange for an honest review.
The pace is slow to begin with, but it soon picks up. The more I got into this book, the more I needed to find out. When Tara discovers she has a sister, she wants to take care of Cassie. But it's not long before secrets and lies begin to surface. There were so many questions going through my mind. I did guess the villain quite early, but that never takes anything away from my enjoyment of a good story. The characters are well developed. My only criticism is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #LorraineMurphy for my ARC of #BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2023
This is my first book by this author. While it wasn’t full of suspenseful moments, it was a good solid read. Tara is a shy person, preferring to keep to herself and hide behind large clothes. She’s very unsocial, but tends to her mother every night. On a whim, she decides to submit her DNA. She’s shocked to discover she has a sister. That relationship is the core of the novel. The author weaves a great tale that just draws you in. She feeds you information bit by bit. And I’m always appreciative of authors that have a great grasp on correct grammar. Great book!
August 13, 2023
Tara has always wished for a sister. She leads an ordinary life looking after her mother after work. She has no friends. One day she gets the results of a dna test and discovers Cassie her sister.
As two world collide long held secrets are revealed and tara is forced to deal with the reality .I loved the way the characters were developed both their arcs were commpleted by other characters. The pov story tell gave depth and ubderstanding. I loved all rge twists and turns. I was disappointed with the ending. It seemed too fast and rushed.
A good quick read and a solid 4 🌟
As two world collide long held secrets are revealed and tara is forced to deal with the reality .I loved the way the characters were developed both their arcs were commpleted by other characters. The pov story tell gave depth and ubderstanding. I loved all rge twists and turns. I was disappointed with the ending. It seemed too fast and rushed.
A good quick read and a solid 4 🌟
November 27, 2023
Tara finds out through a DNA site that she has a sister called Cassie. She agrees to meet her, but can she trust her? Cassie is very down on her luck. Why though?
I flew through this as I just had to find out if they were sisters or not. The characters were well developed and I like how Tara and Cassie's personalities were polar opposites. I did get quite frustrated with Tara's mother and the way she went on with her and Tara just letting her as if she was still a child and not an adult. It does make you think as to whether people are actually genuine or not.
I flew through this as I just had to find out if they were sisters or not. The characters were well developed and I like how Tara and Cassie's personalities were polar opposites. I did get quite frustrated with Tara's mother and the way she went on with her and Tara just letting her as if she was still a child and not an adult. It does make you think as to whether people are actually genuine or not.
August 26, 2023
Having read Lorraine Murphy's fantastic debut
"Into the Woods"
I was excited by the prospect of her second offering. The concept is something of a complex tale, sad even, and definitely intriguing. It begins as a slow burn which remains steady throughout and yet there was still something compelling me to keep reading. It's a quick read which I easily unravelled in a few short hours in one sitting.
Tara is an only child with an elderly mother, Mary, whom she now cares for solely since a car accident which claimed the life of her father and confined her mother to a wheelchair some twenty years ago. Her life is but a small one. She has no friends, no significant other, with her whole life devoted to caring for her ailing mother. But when a DNA test reveals a "full match" - meaning parent, sibling or child - through a family website, Tara unexpectedly finds she has a sister she knew nothing about and her ordered world suddenly falls into chaos. She contacts the woman, Cassie, and agrees to meet her. But the two women couldn't be more different.
Cassie finds herself homeless after a drinking binge sees her in hospital and out of the refuge where she had been living. But upon receiving the news of a DNA match with a woman, Cassie sobers herself up and arranges to meet her long lost little sister in Dublin. But their first meeting doesn't go as planned, leaving both women feeling dissatisfied and disappointed. However, Tara has always wanted a sister and seeing how lucky she has been in life compared to the hand Cassie had been dealt, she takes her under her wing...albeit maybe a little too naively.
Amidst the goings on is the news that is currently sweeping Ireland of the children's home scandal, which was rife in Ireland up to the 1980s, that saw children wrenched from their biological mothers and sold to the highest bidder with non-disclosure agreements preventing either party from revealing the details of the adoption...or even that there had been an adoption. I would have liked to see this play more of a part in the story than it actually did. It was dangled in the background and offered something of an explanation without really explaining anything.
And then there is Mary. Ailing, frail and elderly Mary. Widowed and talking fondly of her her husband Frank RIP - what in the hell was that? She referred to him as Frank RIP and Tara referred to him as Daddy RIP. Sure, he died and it was tragic but they branded the RIP on the end like it was a medal of honour. It was tacky and senseless. And Mary, who wears her ailments like a garment she cloaks herself with each morning was exhausting to read. The woman beat Tara down at every turn, gave her panic attacks, allergies and then demanded she not take a promotion offered to her. Why? What did she hope to gain from it? Of course the promotion meant Tara had a week's training in London which Mary simply would not hear of, nor would Tara leave her. Until Cassie stepped in and offered to care for her in Tara's absence. Oh no, that just would not do. But why?
Honestly, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive...as quoted by Shakespeare but Tara cites it as someone called Scott. Whoever first quoted it, no truer words were spoken. These three women weave a tangled web between the lot of them. And I liked none of them. Tara was weak and spineless and at her age could not stand up for herself in any way. She dressed dowdy and had no self esteem. Of course, this was down to the environment in which she had grown up, and Mary's devious ploy to keep her close. Cassie was secretive and had her own ulterior motives. I could feel no sympathy for any of them.
This is a tough book to review and rate because of this. And because I felt it had so much more potential. So much more could have been done with the children's home scandal, of which were rife in Ireland and there would be no shortage of stories there. I remember watching a documentary of a Catholic children's home in which there revealed to be a mass grave of children's bodies secretly buried there as well as many illegal adoptions that took place from there. Now that could be the basis of a brilliant thriller I would love to read.
Overall, this was still a good quick read that could easily be devoured in a few short hours. It was compelling, that's for sure. I just kept wanting to turn the page and find out that little bit more and what secrets bubbled beneath the surface.
I would like to thank #LorraineMurphy, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Tara is an only child with an elderly mother, Mary, whom she now cares for solely since a car accident which claimed the life of her father and confined her mother to a wheelchair some twenty years ago. Her life is but a small one. She has no friends, no significant other, with her whole life devoted to caring for her ailing mother. But when a DNA test reveals a "full match" - meaning parent, sibling or child - through a family website, Tara unexpectedly finds she has a sister she knew nothing about and her ordered world suddenly falls into chaos. She contacts the woman, Cassie, and agrees to meet her. But the two women couldn't be more different.
Cassie finds herself homeless after a drinking binge sees her in hospital and out of the refuge where she had been living. But upon receiving the news of a DNA match with a woman, Cassie sobers herself up and arranges to meet her long lost little sister in Dublin. But their first meeting doesn't go as planned, leaving both women feeling dissatisfied and disappointed. However, Tara has always wanted a sister and seeing how lucky she has been in life compared to the hand Cassie had been dealt, she takes her under her wing...albeit maybe a little too naively.
Amidst the goings on is the news that is currently sweeping Ireland of the children's home scandal, which was rife in Ireland up to the 1980s, that saw children wrenched from their biological mothers and sold to the highest bidder with non-disclosure agreements preventing either party from revealing the details of the adoption...or even that there had been an adoption. I would have liked to see this play more of a part in the story than it actually did. It was dangled in the background and offered something of an explanation without really explaining anything.
And then there is Mary. Ailing, frail and elderly Mary. Widowed and talking fondly of her her husband Frank RIP - what in the hell was that? She referred to him as Frank RIP and Tara referred to him as Daddy RIP. Sure, he died and it was tragic but they branded the RIP on the end like it was a medal of honour. It was tacky and senseless. And Mary, who wears her ailments like a garment she cloaks herself with each morning was exhausting to read. The woman beat Tara down at every turn, gave her panic attacks, allergies and then demanded she not take a promotion offered to her. Why? What did she hope to gain from it? Of course the promotion meant Tara had a week's training in London which Mary simply would not hear of, nor would Tara leave her. Until Cassie stepped in and offered to care for her in Tara's absence. Oh no, that just would not do. But why?
Honestly, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive...as quoted by Shakespeare but Tara cites it as someone called Scott. Whoever first quoted it, no truer words were spoken. These three women weave a tangled web between the lot of them. And I liked none of them. Tara was weak and spineless and at her age could not stand up for herself in any way. She dressed dowdy and had no self esteem. Of course, this was down to the environment in which she had grown up, and Mary's devious ploy to keep her close. Cassie was secretive and had her own ulterior motives. I could feel no sympathy for any of them.
This is a tough book to review and rate because of this. And because I felt it had so much more potential. So much more could have been done with the children's home scandal, of which were rife in Ireland and there would be no shortage of stories there. I remember watching a documentary of a Catholic children's home in which there revealed to be a mass grave of children's bodies secretly buried there as well as many illegal adoptions that took place from there. Now that could be the basis of a brilliant thriller I would love to read.
Overall, this was still a good quick read that could easily be devoured in a few short hours. It was compelling, that's for sure. I just kept wanting to turn the page and find out that little bit more and what secrets bubbled beneath the surface.
I would like to thank #LorraineMurphy, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 3, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Be Careful What You Wish For' by Lorraine Murphy.
Read and reviewed for Netgalley, Lorraine Murphy, Inkubator Books and Zooloo's Book Tours.
Publication date 20th August 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
This novel consists of a prologue, 36 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
'Be Careful What You Wish For' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Lorraine discusses toxic relationships, alcoholism and attempted r@p3.
This book is very well written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.
This book is a fascinating and thought provoking thriller that grips your attention from the dark prologue all the way to the fantastic epilogue!! The title of the book sums up the storyline absolutely perfectly and really does make you be very careful what you wish for!!! It is written from multiple perspectives with two main protagonists. One of the protagonists being shy and introverted Tara who works full time as well as caring for her selfish and demanding mother. The other protagonist is down on her luck and alcoholic Cassie who claims to be Tara's sister who she was never told about. The story is based around the lives of Tara, Cassie and Mary and the reader can see how their lives weave together while the lies and secrets start untangling. This is one of those books where you have absolutely no idea who is telling the truth and if you can trust any of them. I was absolutely intrigued from the start to finish as I read about Tara's horrific colleagues, Cassie's life in the shelter and on the streets and Mary's demands and gaslighting of her daughter. While these women are working around each other the book also tells the story of what has been discovered about the Cherish The Children home from news broadcasts throughout the book. The plot is filled with suspense, tension, secrets, family, history and loads more!!! There is heartbreak, revelations, sadness and many more emotions on every page. I found the ending quite fascinating and intriguing as it left me still wondering how much of Cassie's story is true and what was fabricated. I can't say any more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. With realistic, strong and unlikeable characters that make you want to shout at, sympathise with and more this book will keep you glued to the pages. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by Lorraine to see what else she has up her sleeve!!!
Overall an absolutely captivating, gripping and heart racing addictive psychological thriller!!!
253 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews.
#BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor #LorraineMurphy #lorraine.a.murphy #MurphyLorr #InkubatorBooks #Inkubator #ZooLoosBT #ZooloosBookTours #Netgalley #Bookworm1986 #BooksOnTour #BlogTour #BookReview #bookworm86 #Bookworm1986 #bookworm86 #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #BookBlogger #KindleUnlimited
@BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor @LorraineMurphy @lorraine.a.murphy @MurphyLorr @InkubatorBooks @Inkubator @ZooLoosBT @ZooloosBookTours @Netgalley @Bookworm1986 @BooksOnTour @BlogTour @BookReview @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
Review for 'Be Careful What You Wish For' by Lorraine Murphy.
Read and reviewed for Netgalley, Lorraine Murphy, Inkubator Books and Zooloo's Book Tours.
Publication date 20th August 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
This novel consists of a prologue, 36 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
'Be Careful What You Wish For' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Lorraine discusses toxic relationships, alcoholism and attempted r@p3.
This book is very well written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.
This book is a fascinating and thought provoking thriller that grips your attention from the dark prologue all the way to the fantastic epilogue!! The title of the book sums up the storyline absolutely perfectly and really does make you be very careful what you wish for!!! It is written from multiple perspectives with two main protagonists. One of the protagonists being shy and introverted Tara who works full time as well as caring for her selfish and demanding mother. The other protagonist is down on her luck and alcoholic Cassie who claims to be Tara's sister who she was never told about. The story is based around the lives of Tara, Cassie and Mary and the reader can see how their lives weave together while the lies and secrets start untangling. This is one of those books where you have absolutely no idea who is telling the truth and if you can trust any of them. I was absolutely intrigued from the start to finish as I read about Tara's horrific colleagues, Cassie's life in the shelter and on the streets and Mary's demands and gaslighting of her daughter. While these women are working around each other the book also tells the story of what has been discovered about the Cherish The Children home from news broadcasts throughout the book. The plot is filled with suspense, tension, secrets, family, history and loads more!!! There is heartbreak, revelations, sadness and many more emotions on every page. I found the ending quite fascinating and intriguing as it left me still wondering how much of Cassie's story is true and what was fabricated. I can't say any more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. With realistic, strong and unlikeable characters that make you want to shout at, sympathise with and more this book will keep you glued to the pages. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by Lorraine to see what else she has up her sleeve!!!
Overall an absolutely captivating, gripping and heart racing addictive psychological thriller!!!
253 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews.
#BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor #LorraineMurphy #lorraine.a.murphy #MurphyLorr #InkubatorBooks #Inkubator #ZooLoosBT #ZooloosBookTours #Netgalley #Bookworm1986 #BooksOnTour #BlogTour #BookReview #bookworm86 #Bookworm1986 #bookworm86 #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #BookBlogger #KindleUnlimited
@BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor @LorraineMurphy @lorraine.a.murphy @MurphyLorr @InkubatorBooks @Inkubator @ZooLoosBT @ZooloosBookTours @Netgalley @Bookworm1986 @BooksOnTour @BlogTour @BookReview @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
December 9, 2023
Tara has had a sheltered life living with her widowed mother. Even now that she has her own flat it is only a couple of doos from her disabled mother's bungalow and she spends most of her time there. She has always wished for more family and now she has been contacted by Cassie who claims she is her sister. But Cassie has had a very different life from Tara's so is she genuine or a scammer.
For the first part of this story I would like to have shaken Tara. She was so diffident and just did whatever her mother wanted at the expense of her own life. But I always thought there was more to her than this little mouse and meeting Cassie makes a big difference to her life. There were lots of little twists in this story some of which I suspected but I was not ready for the big shocker. I was so stunned I could barely
breathe. I'll be looking out for this author in the future
For the first part of this story I would like to have shaken Tara. She was so diffident and just did whatever her mother wanted at the expense of her own life. But I always thought there was more to her than this little mouse and meeting Cassie makes a big difference to her life. There were lots of little twists in this story some of which I suspected but I was not ready for the big shocker. I was so stunned I could barely
breathe. I'll be looking out for this author in the future
July 30, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this psychological thriller. Thank you to NetGalley and the author and publisher for providing me an ARC.
The book is presented from two POVs; two women from vastly different backgrounds and life experiences who are thrown together when a DNA test confirms their sisters.
The author did a fantastic job with character development. I loved getting into each of the women's heads. The pacing was great and kept me reading along wanting to find out more. Up until the 75% mark I thought the book was fairly predictable but I was delighted to see that the author had some curve balls up her sleeve.
I took a half point off because I felt the ending was somewhat rushed. There are a couple of threads left hanging - *SPOILERS* -
- it's hinted that Tara was an alcoholic too but left open ended.
- Mary was faking her illness the whole time. So how'd she get sick for real at the end?
The whole Barry showing up with police at the last minute felt too perfect. Although I like his character's redemption arc.
I also liked how the relationship between the two sisters was left open ended. It settled into a gray area which I felt was a lot more realistic and a bold choice to make.
Overall, I highly recommend this book! It was a great read. I will be picking up more by this author in the future.
The book is presented from two POVs; two women from vastly different backgrounds and life experiences who are thrown together when a DNA test confirms their sisters.
The author did a fantastic job with character development. I loved getting into each of the women's heads. The pacing was great and kept me reading along wanting to find out more. Up until the 75% mark I thought the book was fairly predictable but I was delighted to see that the author had some curve balls up her sleeve.
I took a half point off because I felt the ending was somewhat rushed. There are a couple of threads left hanging - *SPOILERS* -
- it's hinted that Tara was an alcoholic too but left open ended.
- Mary was faking her illness the whole time. So how'd she get sick for real at the end?
The whole Barry showing up with police at the last minute felt too perfect. Although I like his character's redemption arc.
I also liked how the relationship between the two sisters was left open ended. It settled into a gray area which I felt was a lot more realistic and a bold choice to make.
Overall, I highly recommend this book! It was a great read. I will be picking up more by this author in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Be Careful What You Wish For' by Lorraine Murphy.
Read and reviewed for Netgalley, Lorraine Murphy, Inkubator Books and Zooloo's Book Tours.
Publication date 20th August 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
This novel consists of a prologue, 36 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
'Be Careful What You Wish For' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Lorraine discusses toxic relationships, alcoholism and attempted r@p3.
This book is very well written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.
This book is a fascinating and thought provoking thriller that grips your attention from the dark prologue all the way to the fantastic epilogue!! The title of the book sums up the storyline absolutely perfectly and really does make you be very careful what you wish for!!! It is written from multiple perspectives with two main protagonists. One of the protagonists being shy and introverted Tara who works full time as well as caring for her selfish and demanding mother. The other protagonist is down on her luck and alcoholic Cassie who claims to be Tara's sister who she was never told about. The story is based around the lives of Tara, Cassie and Mary and the reader can see how their lives weave together while the lies and secrets start untangling. This is one of those books where you have absolutely no idea who is telling the truth and if you can trust any of them. I was absolutely intrigued from the start to finish as I read about Tara's horrific colleagues, Cassie's life in the shelter and on the streets and Mary's demands and gaslighting of her daughter. While these women are working around each other the book also tells the story of what has been discovered about the Cherish The Children home from news broadcasts throughout the book. The plot is filled with suspense, tension, secrets, family, history and loads more!!! There is heartbreak, revelations, sadness and many more emotions on every page. I found the ending quite fascinating and intriguing as it left me still wondering how much of Cassie's story is true and what was fabricated. I can't say any more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. With realistic, strong and unlikeable characters that make you want to shout at, sympathise with and more this book will keep you glued to the pages. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by Lorraine to see what else she has up her sleeve!!!
Overall an absolutely captivating, gripping and heart racing addictive psychological thriller!!!
253 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews.
#BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor #LorraineMurphy #lorraine.a.murphy #MurphyLorr #InkubatorBooks #Inkubator #ZooLoosBT #ZooloosBookTours #Netgalley #Bookworm1986 #BooksOnTour #BlogTour #BookReview #bookworm86 #Bookworm1986 #bookworm86 #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #BookBlogger #KindleUnlimited
@BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor @LorraineMurphy @lorraine.a.murphy @MurphyLorr @InkubatorBooks @Inkubator @ZooLoosBT @ZooloosBookTours @Netgalley @Bookworm1986 @BooksOnTour @BlogTour @BookReview @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
Review for 'Be Careful What You Wish For' by Lorraine Murphy.
Read and reviewed for Netgalley, Lorraine Murphy, Inkubator Books and Zooloo's Book Tours.
Publication date 20th August 2023.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
This novel consists of a prologue, 36 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
'Be Careful What You Wish For' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Lorraine discusses toxic relationships, alcoholism and attempted r@p3.
This book is very well written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end. The descriptions were so in depth and vivid that the hair on my arms was standing on the ends and my heart was pounding throughout. The synopsis, title and cover were perfect for the storyline.
This book is a fascinating and thought provoking thriller that grips your attention from the dark prologue all the way to the fantastic epilogue!! The title of the book sums up the storyline absolutely perfectly and really does make you be very careful what you wish for!!! It is written from multiple perspectives with two main protagonists. One of the protagonists being shy and introverted Tara who works full time as well as caring for her selfish and demanding mother. The other protagonist is down on her luck and alcoholic Cassie who claims to be Tara's sister who she was never told about. The story is based around the lives of Tara, Cassie and Mary and the reader can see how their lives weave together while the lies and secrets start untangling. This is one of those books where you have absolutely no idea who is telling the truth and if you can trust any of them. I was absolutely intrigued from the start to finish as I read about Tara's horrific colleagues, Cassie's life in the shelter and on the streets and Mary's demands and gaslighting of her daughter. While these women are working around each other the book also tells the story of what has been discovered about the Cherish The Children home from news broadcasts throughout the book. The plot is filled with suspense, tension, secrets, family, history and loads more!!! There is heartbreak, revelations, sadness and many more emotions on every page. I found the ending quite fascinating and intriguing as it left me still wondering how much of Cassie's story is true and what was fabricated. I can't say any more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. With realistic, strong and unlikeable characters that make you want to shout at, sympathise with and more this book will keep you glued to the pages. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books by Lorraine to see what else she has up her sleeve!!!
Overall an absolutely captivating, gripping and heart racing addictive psychological thriller!!!
253 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £8.99 in paperback (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews.
#BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor #LorraineMurphy #lorraine.a.murphy #MurphyLorr #InkubatorBooks #Inkubator #ZooLoosBT #ZooloosBookTours #Netgalley #Bookworm1986 #BooksOnTour #BlogTour #BookReview #bookworm86 #Bookworm1986 #bookworm86 #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #BookBlogger #KindleUnlimited
@BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor @LorraineMurphy @lorraine.a.murphy @MurphyLorr @InkubatorBooks @Inkubator @ZooLoosBT @ZooloosBookTours @Netgalley @Bookworm1986 @BooksOnTour @BlogTour @BookReview @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/a...
October 26, 2023
Actual rating - 4.3/4. I liked this book a lot. After I finished, I had to go back to the very beginning ( the epilogue) to understand who it was about.
October 17, 2024
Tara Ryan is a socially awkward woman, who isn’t well liked at work, and is a dutiful daughter who cares for her mother. While she lives around the corner from her mother’s home, she longs for more. A DNA test brings the discovery of a long-lost sister. Not wanting to upset her frail mother, Tara meets street wise Cassie.
The tale that unfolds brings twists and turns as Tara’s life is upended by her sister, Cassie. Cassie is homeless, an addict and the key to Tara’s past. While the story starts of slow, it quickly picks up speed and hooks the listener.
As I listened, I had questions, and feared for Tara. Tara is shy, and a nurturer by nature. She hides under oversized clothing and looks to protect Cassie. She does this all while being fearful and uncertain. The sisters are the focus of the tale and we get perspectives from them both. The author feeds us information between the two of them and draws the listener in as we question everything.
Aoife McMahon narrates and does a great job of giving voice to the sisters and secondary characters, making listening a splendid choice.
While I kind of figured things out, it was worth finding out the why and how. I felt the ending was slightly rushed, but recommend it all the same for those looking for a good thriller this fall. This was my first book by Murphy and I would try her again. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The tale that unfolds brings twists and turns as Tara’s life is upended by her sister, Cassie. Cassie is homeless, an addict and the key to Tara’s past. While the story starts of slow, it quickly picks up speed and hooks the listener.
As I listened, I had questions, and feared for Tara. Tara is shy, and a nurturer by nature. She hides under oversized clothing and looks to protect Cassie. She does this all while being fearful and uncertain. The sisters are the focus of the tale and we get perspectives from them both. The author feeds us information between the two of them and draws the listener in as we question everything.
Aoife McMahon narrates and does a great job of giving voice to the sisters and secondary characters, making listening a splendid choice.
While I kind of figured things out, it was worth finding out the why and how. I felt the ending was slightly rushed, but recommend it all the same for those looking for a good thriller this fall. This was my first book by Murphy and I would try her again. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 3, 2023
Three main characters – Tara, socially awkward, most probably autistic, has no friends and takes care of her mother, Mary. Cassie, her long-lost, drunken, homeless sister, who she discovers through a DNA test. Except Tara is an only child, so how can that be possible?
And of course, 82-year-old Mary, selfish, manipulative, religious fanatic, never allows Tara to live her own life. Mourns the premature loss of her late husband, Tara’s Daddy RIP.
So how do these women connect and how will the relationships play out? What does Cassie know that Tara does not? And is she telling the truth?
Fascinating and heart-breaking, we all feel the utmost sympathy for Tara. But what about Cassie? Is she the result of a tragic childhood spent mostly in a children’s home, which is being investigated, or is she just a wicked, horrible person, taking advantage of both Tara and Mary? Born in the seventies, this was when babies in Ireland were still torn from an unmarried mother’s breast and ‘sold’ to a good Catholic family (different times says Mary).
And what about Mary? Old, fragile, disabled following the accident that killed her husband, and now dying. Or is much of it a ploy to keep Tara with her?
So who is the real villain here? Is it Cassie, always looking for someone to take advantage of and someone to blame? Or is it Mary, who has been keeping secrets from Tara her whole life? And what are those secrets and just who is telling the truth? Maybe Tara wants to believe what she wants – that she has a sister who will become her best friend, and that her mother was another innocent victim.
Someone is lying, but who? A short book with so many surprising twists, I’m still not sure who to believe.
Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
And of course, 82-year-old Mary, selfish, manipulative, religious fanatic, never allows Tara to live her own life. Mourns the premature loss of her late husband, Tara’s Daddy RIP.
So how do these women connect and how will the relationships play out? What does Cassie know that Tara does not? And is she telling the truth?
Fascinating and heart-breaking, we all feel the utmost sympathy for Tara. But what about Cassie? Is she the result of a tragic childhood spent mostly in a children’s home, which is being investigated, or is she just a wicked, horrible person, taking advantage of both Tara and Mary? Born in the seventies, this was when babies in Ireland were still torn from an unmarried mother’s breast and ‘sold’ to a good Catholic family (different times says Mary).
And what about Mary? Old, fragile, disabled following the accident that killed her husband, and now dying. Or is much of it a ploy to keep Tara with her?
So who is the real villain here? Is it Cassie, always looking for someone to take advantage of and someone to blame? Or is it Mary, who has been keeping secrets from Tara her whole life? And what are those secrets and just who is telling the truth? Maybe Tara wants to believe what she wants – that she has a sister who will become her best friend, and that her mother was another innocent victim.
Someone is lying, but who? A short book with so many surprising twists, I’m still not sure who to believe.
Many thanks to @zooloo2008 for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
September 6, 2023
Be Careful What You Wish For is a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes.
The story follows Tara, a single woman who spends her time either working or caring for her elderly mother. She's a bit socially awkward, and she doesn't really have any friends. But that all changes when she decides to take a DNA test and discovers she has a sister, which is something she's always wished for. But like the title says, be careful what you wish for.
Tara reaches out to Cassie and they meet up. But Cassie isn't what Tara expected. She's a homeless alcoholic who seems to cause a scene wherever she goes. But Tara decides to give her the benefit of the doubt and lets her stay in her home. At first, all seems well. Cassie gets sober and applies herself around the house, cleaning and cooking. But Tara soon starts to suspect Cassie isn't all she's cracked up to be.
Can Tara uncover the truth behind Cassie and their shared past, or will her wish for a sister be her downfall?
This was a really good book. I found it easy to get sucked into, and I finished it relatively quickly. It's a well-written, fast-paced thriller that will make you wonder just what you might do if a DNA test helped you discover a long-lost family member. How would you react? Would you trust them? It's an interesting idea, and the author did a good job with Tara and Cassie's relationship, and the ultimate secret Mary (elderly mom) was hiding.
Check out Be Careful What You Wish For if you enjoy thrillers that are quick, easy reads with interesting premises.
4.5 stars!
The story follows Tara, a single woman who spends her time either working or caring for her elderly mother. She's a bit socially awkward, and she doesn't really have any friends. But that all changes when she decides to take a DNA test and discovers she has a sister, which is something she's always wished for. But like the title says, be careful what you wish for.
Tara reaches out to Cassie and they meet up. But Cassie isn't what Tara expected. She's a homeless alcoholic who seems to cause a scene wherever she goes. But Tara decides to give her the benefit of the doubt and lets her stay in her home. At first, all seems well. Cassie gets sober and applies herself around the house, cleaning and cooking. But Tara soon starts to suspect Cassie isn't all she's cracked up to be.
Can Tara uncover the truth behind Cassie and their shared past, or will her wish for a sister be her downfall?
This was a really good book. I found it easy to get sucked into, and I finished it relatively quickly. It's a well-written, fast-paced thriller that will make you wonder just what you might do if a DNA test helped you discover a long-lost family member. How would you react? Would you trust them? It's an interesting idea, and the author did a good job with Tara and Cassie's relationship, and the ultimate secret Mary (elderly mom) was hiding.
Check out Be Careful What You Wish For if you enjoy thrillers that are quick, easy reads with interesting premises.
4.5 stars!
September 2, 2023
Tara thought she was an only child but one day decides to do a DNA test, which shows she has a sister.
Cassie is a homeless drunk but Tara invite sher home to try and get to know her and help her.
But as their relationship develops, it throws up more secrets and questions than Tara had bargained for.
I actually really quite liked this story although it did seem a little odd just getting a DNA test in this way.
I thought Tara seemed a little naive inviting Cassie home straight away - this put me on edge even before I was probably meant to be!
But I really like the hugely contrasting personalities and experiences of the two girls and how these events and their flaws brought them together and made the whole thing totally relatable.
It took me a few chapters to get into the story as it was a little slow paced at the start, but I soon became invested and raced to the end, finishing this in one go.
This deals with some dark issues which really built up the tension throughout, but I feel that these were well presented and dealt with sensitively.
An intriguing read that kept me engaged throughout. A new author to me, but one that I'll definitely read more from.
Cassie is a homeless drunk but Tara invite sher home to try and get to know her and help her.
But as their relationship develops, it throws up more secrets and questions than Tara had bargained for.
I actually really quite liked this story although it did seem a little odd just getting a DNA test in this way.
I thought Tara seemed a little naive inviting Cassie home straight away - this put me on edge even before I was probably meant to be!
But I really like the hugely contrasting personalities and experiences of the two girls and how these events and their flaws brought them together and made the whole thing totally relatable.
It took me a few chapters to get into the story as it was a little slow paced at the start, but I soon became invested and raced to the end, finishing this in one go.
This deals with some dark issues which really built up the tension throughout, but I feel that these were well presented and dealt with sensitively.
An intriguing read that kept me engaged throughout. A new author to me, but one that I'll definitely read more from.
September 2, 2023
Being an only child, Tara was left to look after Mary, her mother. Mary is in a wheelchair after a car accident that also killed her father. With no friends and no one to talk to, Tara was shocked by the results of a DNA test, it shows that she has a sister, Cassie. Tara decided to contact Cassie, not know what to expect. Cassie isn't anything like Tara, she is homeless after drinking to much and ending up in hospital, which got her kicked out of the refuge she was in. After meeting for the first time and things not going to plan, Tara wanted to get to know her sister more and invited Cassie to come and live with her mother and herself. This is something Tara always wanted a sister, but is it a good idea to have Cassie living with them. In the book we learn about children in Ireland in the 1980s being taking from mothers and sold. It was a bit slow but I still enjoyed it, especially about the children being sold as it was something I didn't know about, but have looked into it now, thanks to the book.
July 25, 2023
I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book and really enjoyed it.
Tara had always thought she was an only child until a DNA test confirmed she had a match. She meets up with Cassie who turns out to be her sister.
She takes homeless Cassie under her wing but as time goes on secrets and lies come to the surface. What is in store for them both. You’ll have to read to find out!
A great thriller which kept me engaged and wanting to find out more.
Tara had always thought she was an only child until a DNA test confirmed she had a match. She meets up with Cassie who turns out to be her sister.
She takes homeless Cassie under her wing but as time goes on secrets and lies come to the surface. What is in store for them both. You’ll have to read to find out!
A great thriller which kept me engaged and wanting to find out more.
July 30, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator Books for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This book started out slow but as I read along, I felt compelled to know more. It was an interesting read with twists at the end I didn't see coming. It felt freeing to see how it all ended up for Tara. And I'm happy to what happened to Cassie and Mary too.
This book started out slow but as I read along, I felt compelled to know more. It was an interesting read with twists at the end I didn't see coming. It felt freeing to see how it all ended up for Tara. And I'm happy to what happened to Cassie and Mary too.
September 1, 2023
Be Careful What You Wish For by Lorraine Murphy.
When Tara Ryan gets the results of a DNA test one rainy afternoon, all her dreams come true. She discovers she’s not an only child, she has a long-lost sister, Cassie.
Really enjoyable read. I liked Tara. Something about Mary and Cassie I wasn't sure about. I didn't trust them. I didn't expect that. Barry grew on me. 5*.
When Tara Ryan gets the results of a DNA test one rainy afternoon, all her dreams come true. She discovers she’s not an only child, she has a long-lost sister, Cassie.
Really enjoyable read. I liked Tara. Something about Mary and Cassie I wasn't sure about. I didn't trust them. I didn't expect that. Barry grew on me. 5*.
![Profile Image for Padmajha [PJ] Me and My Bookshelf.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1716366774i%2F12703387._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
November 29, 2023
Tara Ryan is an only child and her routine revolves around her job and the evening responsibility of caring for her mother. A twist of fate occurs when a colleague introduces a DNA test kit into the workplace, prompting Tara to consider taking one for herself. Though steeply priced, Tara takes the plunge. Her anticipation escalates as she waits for the result. The outcome reveals a match!
The DNA test discloses a connection between Tara and someone named Cassandra Blake. Motivated by this revelation, Tara messages Cassandra[Cassie]. The intrigue and excitement grow urging Tara to send a follow-up message, her impatience superseding her initial restraint.
The following day, Cassie contacts Tara and they set a rendezvous for that evening. However, Cassie arrives more than an hour behind schedule and visibly intoxicated. Unbeknownst to Tara, Cassie conceals her struggles with alcoholism, homelessness, and unemployment, rendering her penniless.
Upon the return journey, Tara discovers her wallet is nowhere to be found. Thankfully, the considerate guard, familiar with her daily commute, permits her to board even in the absence of her wallet.
From this point, the narrative takes an intriguing twist when Cassie unexpectedly appears at Tara's workplace, causing a scene. Bizarrely, she possesses Tara's wallet without any recollection of how she acquired it. This unfolding of events leads to a series of incidents, ultimately resulting in Cassie moving in with Tara. From this juncture, the story propels readers into a captivating roller-coaster ride of emotions and experiences.
The portrayal of Tara and Cassie in this narrative deserves commendation. Their dispositions, struggles, inner conflicts, resilience, and sentiments are vividly illustrated. I found Tara's character appealing from the outset, and as the plot unfolded, I even developed a sense of empathy towards her. Conversely, upon encountering Cassie's introduction, a certain unease settled in me, prompting doubt about her trustworthiness. The ensemble of supporting characters is also skillfully crafted.
One aspect of this book that I particularly liked is its narrative style. While the initial pacing is slightly gradual, the story swiftly gains momentum, compelling readers to scrutinize every move by Cassie and question Tara's decisions. Despite the evident disparity in their personalities, it is heartwarming to witness Cassie's unexpected displays of concern for Tara.
In some instances, the storyline followed predictable patterns, yet the author's deft handling of the narrative progression remained engaging. As anticipated in a thriller, the story weaves through the anticipated twists and turns, seamlessly integrating them into the overarching plot.
In all, a compelling thriller that will keep you guessing, captivate your senses, and leave you astonished
The DNA test discloses a connection between Tara and someone named Cassandra Blake. Motivated by this revelation, Tara messages Cassandra[Cassie]. The intrigue and excitement grow urging Tara to send a follow-up message, her impatience superseding her initial restraint.
The following day, Cassie contacts Tara and they set a rendezvous for that evening. However, Cassie arrives more than an hour behind schedule and visibly intoxicated. Unbeknownst to Tara, Cassie conceals her struggles with alcoholism, homelessness, and unemployment, rendering her penniless.
Upon the return journey, Tara discovers her wallet is nowhere to be found. Thankfully, the considerate guard, familiar with her daily commute, permits her to board even in the absence of her wallet.
From this point, the narrative takes an intriguing twist when Cassie unexpectedly appears at Tara's workplace, causing a scene. Bizarrely, she possesses Tara's wallet without any recollection of how she acquired it. This unfolding of events leads to a series of incidents, ultimately resulting in Cassie moving in with Tara. From this juncture, the story propels readers into a captivating roller-coaster ride of emotions and experiences.
The portrayal of Tara and Cassie in this narrative deserves commendation. Their dispositions, struggles, inner conflicts, resilience, and sentiments are vividly illustrated. I found Tara's character appealing from the outset, and as the plot unfolded, I even developed a sense of empathy towards her. Conversely, upon encountering Cassie's introduction, a certain unease settled in me, prompting doubt about her trustworthiness. The ensemble of supporting characters is also skillfully crafted.
One aspect of this book that I particularly liked is its narrative style. While the initial pacing is slightly gradual, the story swiftly gains momentum, compelling readers to scrutinize every move by Cassie and question Tara's decisions. Despite the evident disparity in their personalities, it is heartwarming to witness Cassie's unexpected displays of concern for Tara.
In some instances, the storyline followed predictable patterns, yet the author's deft handling of the narrative progression remained engaging. As anticipated in a thriller, the story weaves through the anticipated twists and turns, seamlessly integrating them into the overarching plot.
In all, a compelling thriller that will keep you guessing, captivate your senses, and leave you astonished
September 2, 2023
Tara Ryan is an only child and leads a very quiet life, just going to work and looking after her mother in the evenings. Because someone at work got a DNA test kit, Tara decides to get one, although they are not cheap at 100 Euros. When she has filled it in and sent it back, she is very surprised when it comes back with a match. It turns out that Tara is a match with Cassandra Blake so she messages her, then gets impatient so sends another message.
Cassie gets in touch the next day and they arrange to meet up that evening. So Tara goes home, looks after her mum then comes back into town to meet Cassie who turns up, over an hour late and drunk. What Cassie hasn’t told Tara is that she is a drunk, homeless and not working, so has no money. When Tara goes to get the trolley home, she can’t find her wallet but the kind guard lets her on as he knows she catches it most days.
The next day, Cassie turns up at Tara’s work. She was creating a bit of a scene outside the office and Tara was given an ultimatum and she chose Cassie. She had her wallet all along but said she doesn’t remember how she got it as she was drunk. They hadn’t parted on good terms the night before. Now Cassie has lost her bag of clothes and her phone. She manages to convince Tara to let her stay the night and says she will be gone in the morning. While Tara goes to sort her mum out, Cassie cleans the penthouse flat up and makes it spotless, Tara is speechless when she comes back.
Can Cassie convince Tara to let her stay long term? How ill really, is Tara’s mum? Who will she leave her house too?
This is a really interesting read and quite scary in a way when you think how easy some people are taken in. This is definitely an eye opener and will make me think twice! The plot is mindblowing and definitely well thought out and the storyline is very well told. The further I got into the story, the more engrossed I got and I wanted to get to the end to find out the outcome. If you like a slowburn, then this is right up your street. The tension mounts middle to end of the book.
Cassie gets in touch the next day and they arrange to meet up that evening. So Tara goes home, looks after her mum then comes back into town to meet Cassie who turns up, over an hour late and drunk. What Cassie hasn’t told Tara is that she is a drunk, homeless and not working, so has no money. When Tara goes to get the trolley home, she can’t find her wallet but the kind guard lets her on as he knows she catches it most days.
The next day, Cassie turns up at Tara’s work. She was creating a bit of a scene outside the office and Tara was given an ultimatum and she chose Cassie. She had her wallet all along but said she doesn’t remember how she got it as she was drunk. They hadn’t parted on good terms the night before. Now Cassie has lost her bag of clothes and her phone. She manages to convince Tara to let her stay the night and says she will be gone in the morning. While Tara goes to sort her mum out, Cassie cleans the penthouse flat up and makes it spotless, Tara is speechless when she comes back.
Can Cassie convince Tara to let her stay long term? How ill really, is Tara’s mum? Who will she leave her house too?
This is a really interesting read and quite scary in a way when you think how easy some people are taken in. This is definitely an eye opener and will make me think twice! The plot is mindblowing and definitely well thought out and the storyline is very well told. The further I got into the story, the more engrossed I got and I wanted to get to the end to find out the outcome. If you like a slowburn, then this is right up your street. The tension mounts middle to end of the book.
February 25, 2025
Be Careful What You Wish For by Lorraine Murphy is a tale of two contrasting lives that intertwine in the most unexpected way. Tara, leading a quiet, sheltered life, discovers through a DNA test that she has a long-lost sister named Cassie, who has been living a starkly different existence, battling homelessness and addiction. As their paths cross, buried secrets emerge, exposing a dark web of illegal adoptions, betrayal, and death rooted in a horrifying children's home scandal from years ago.
This gripping thriller not only kept me on the edge of my seat with its suspenseful narrative but also tugged at my heartstrings as I became deeply invested in the characters' lives. Tara and Cassie are brilliantly developed, and their starkly different backgrounds make for a compelling and emotional read. The story starts off a bit slow but gradually gains momentum, leading to a surprising and thought-provoking conclusion. The complexity of the characters and the blurred lines between hero and villain kept me guessing until the very end. While the pacing felt a bit rushed towards the conclusion, Be Careful What You Wish For is an engrossing read that seamlessly blends suspense and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of thrillers with heart. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This gripping thriller not only kept me on the edge of my seat with its suspenseful narrative but also tugged at my heartstrings as I became deeply invested in the characters' lives. Tara and Cassie are brilliantly developed, and their starkly different backgrounds make for a compelling and emotional read. The story starts off a bit slow but gradually gains momentum, leading to a surprising and thought-provoking conclusion. The complexity of the characters and the blurred lines between hero and villain kept me guessing until the very end. While the pacing felt a bit rushed towards the conclusion, Be Careful What You Wish For is an engrossing read that seamlessly blends suspense and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of thrillers with heart. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2023
Tara is over the moon to find out she has a sister but she’s also confused because she’s always been an only child and she wasn’t adopted. When she finds out DNA proves that Cassie is her sister she eventually lets her come to stay for a week with her and her mom Mary but tells Mary that her name is Joan. Her stay is supposed to be temporary but when Cassie leaves, Tara‘s life will be unrecognizable. Did Mary put Casey up for adoption or was Tara adopted and why did Mary feel the need to lie about Taras origin story? I read Lorraine Murphy’s previous book into the woods and although I really enjoyed that book this one is way better. If into the woods was her senior essay then be careful what you wish for is her thesis this book is a steller read it’s a book any thriller fan would be super excited to read it has twist turns call the sax you name it and it will go in that direction all to end up being a great great thriller. I love this book and highly recommend it a definite most read! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 14, 2023
Be Careful What You Wish For by Lorraine Murphy is a tale of two contrasting lives that intertwine in the most unexpected way. Tara, leading a quiet, sheltered life, discovers through a DNA test that she has a long-lost sister named Cassie, who has been living a starkly different existence, battling homelessness and addiction. As their paths cross, buried secrets emerge, exposing a dark web of illegal adoptions, betrayal, and death rooted in a horrifying children's home scandal from years ago.
This gripping thriller not only kept me on the edge of my seat with its suspenseful narrative but also tugged at my heartstrings as I became deeply invested in the characters' lives. Tara and Cassie are brilliantly developed, and their starkly different backgrounds make for a compelling and emotional read. The story starts off a bit slow but gradually gains momentum, leading to a surprising and thought-provoking conclusion. The complexity of the characters and the blurred lines between hero and villain kept me guessing until the very end. While the pacing felt a bit rushed towards the conclusion, Be Careful What You Wish For is an engrossing read that seamlessly blends suspense and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of thrillers with heart. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This gripping thriller not only kept me on the edge of my seat with its suspenseful narrative but also tugged at my heartstrings as I became deeply invested in the characters' lives. Tara and Cassie are brilliantly developed, and their starkly different backgrounds make for a compelling and emotional read. The story starts off a bit slow but gradually gains momentum, leading to a surprising and thought-provoking conclusion. The complexity of the characters and the blurred lines between hero and villain kept me guessing until the very end. While the pacing felt a bit rushed towards the conclusion, Be Careful What You Wish For is an engrossing read that seamlessly blends suspense and emotional depth, making it a must-read for fans of thrillers with heart. My thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2023
This was my first book by Lorraine Murphy, but it definitely won't be the last! She drew me into the story from the first line and kept me guessing to the very end. The idea of DNA testing and it's recent popularity is interesting. While it is intended to bring families together, I can't help but wonder how many families are torn apart due to long-kept secrets. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Tara evolve and come out of her shell, and the character of Cassie intrigued me. The story was well written and I was completely satisfied with the ending. Overall, this was a solid read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own
August 24, 2023
Be Careful What You Wish For is a dual POV thriller that follows two women and a scandal in a children's home. Overall I found the storyline to be interesting. However, the pacing of the book had a few issues for me. I found bits and pieces dragging while the ending packed so much info. Despite the slower bits I did find this to be an enjoyable read. Towards the end of the book I found myself in that "I need to find out how this all ties together" mindset and despite the late hour, finished the book. This book covers topics of rape, child kidnapping, and alcoholism.
September 4, 2023
Tara always wished for a sister. When she discovers that she does indeed have one, strange events take place. Is her newly discovered sister an alcoholic user, or a misguided, downtrodden woman? Readers will keep guessing until the final chapter. This is an excellent novel for those who crave intricate mysteries.
January 30, 2024
It's dual POV, and I found it interesting to know more about the characters. But... I am expecting more behind 'what you wish for' but it ends too quickly. It is not thrilling enough for me, like the author said—a psychological thriller. Still, this book is enjoyable to read. The relationship between long-lost sisters makes me hooked till the end.
November 10, 2023
An Intriguing Noval
It is a story of deceit. It keeps you guessing about who is lying and who is telling the truth. I couldn’t wait to find out what happens in the end. It is an enjoyable read.
It is a story of deceit. It keeps you guessing about who is lying and who is telling the truth. I couldn’t wait to find out what happens in the end. It is an enjoyable read.
January 23, 2024
Nothing is as it seems
Tara lives a boring life taking care of her elderly mother. One day she takes a DNA test and discovers a sister she never knew she had. Upon meeting, she isn’t sure who to trust and what the truth really is.
Tara lives a boring life taking care of her elderly mother. One day she takes a DNA test and discovers a sister she never knew she had. Upon meeting, she isn’t sure who to trust and what the truth really is.
September 3, 2023
Very good
Short, predictable, but very good, and well written. Read it quickly. A little surprised at the outcome. Wish there was a sequel.
Short, predictable, but very good, and well written. Read it quickly. A little surprised at the outcome. Wish there was a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews