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La madre casalinga
Il petto si stringe e il cuore accelera. La cucina è un caos. Cammina su qualcosa di duro e guarda in basso. I dinosauri giocattolo sono sparsi ovunque. Ma suo figlio non è da nessuna parte, il suo bambino è sparito.
Arriva la polizia. Non riesce a guardare il marito. Studia invece l’intreccio di linee sulle sue mani tremanti.
Poi il suo telefono suona con un messaggio vocale. “Ascoltalo in vivavoce”, dice il detective.
Una voce di donna riempie l’aria.
“Presumo che si tratti di Andrea Gately indicata come contatto sul sito web dei bambini scomparsi nel mondo. La chiamo per dirle che ho fornito i suoi dati alla polizia. Perché state usando una foto di mio figlio su un sito web di bambini scomparsi? Perché la state usando e dove l'avete presa?”
Arriva la polizia. Non riesce a guardare il marito. Studia invece l’intreccio di linee sulle sue mani tremanti.
Poi il suo telefono suona con un messaggio vocale. “Ascoltalo in vivavoce”, dice il detective.
Una voce di donna riempie l’aria.
“Presumo che si tratti di Andrea Gately indicata come contatto sul sito web dei bambini scomparsi nel mondo. La chiamo per dirle che ho fornito i suoi dati alla polizia. Perché state usando una foto di mio figlio su un sito web di bambini scomparsi? Perché la state usando e dove l'avete presa?”
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2023
2174 people are currently reading
4706 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Trope
43 books1,880 followersNicole Trope writes psychological thrillers about families in crisis and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others. She has always been fascinated by the stories behind the headlines and published her first novel in 2012. In 2026 she will publish her 20th novel with Bookouture. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS, Canada and Germany. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, Polish, Hungarian and French and Japanese.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
Current Publication: The Therapist-July 31st 2025
Next Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
Current Publication: The Therapist-July 31st 2025
Next Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 508 reviews
January 5, 2023
The Stay-at-Home Mother kept me on my toes and pulled the rug out from under me. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, I was fooled!
Andrea a pregnant mother and wife has moved into the neighborhood with her husband and their young son. She is not the happiest camper at the moment. She knows her husband is keeping something from her and being 9 months pregnant, she is tired and annoyed. Soon Gabby, the woman across the street has befriended her. She is an older mother full of good advice. She has a teenage son and has a following on Facebook for her parenting page. Gabby is a source for babysitting and sound parenting advice, or is she?
Both women have secrets ....
This was a twist filled book which kept me on my toes. I had a feeling that I had things all figured out and was way off base with that shocking reveal. This was a fun entertaining book and I enjoyed how OTT things became. Readers get to see (read) what each woman is doing and thinking. There is a nice amount of tension as things unfold in a shocking way.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Andrea a pregnant mother and wife has moved into the neighborhood with her husband and their young son. She is not the happiest camper at the moment. She knows her husband is keeping something from her and being 9 months pregnant, she is tired and annoyed. Soon Gabby, the woman across the street has befriended her. She is an older mother full of good advice. She has a teenage son and has a following on Facebook for her parenting page. Gabby is a source for babysitting and sound parenting advice, or is she?
Both women have secrets ....
This was a twist filled book which kept me on my toes. I had a feeling that I had things all figured out and was way off base with that shocking reveal. This was a fun entertaining book and I enjoyed how OTT things became. Readers get to see (read) what each woman is doing and thinking. There is a nice amount of tension as things unfold in a shocking way.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 15, 2022
A quick, easy read for those who enjoy books with unreliable narrators and surprising twists. It makes one think about the joys and troubles of raising children and how exhausting and worrisome it can be, especially with inattentive or scheming men in the background. How well can one trust an overly helpful new friend? Why is a menacing man lurking around the neighbourhood and watching? The story is set in Sydney, Australia, but the stay-at-home mothers could be anywhere.
We have Andrea, heavily pregnant and already a mother of an active three-year-old boy. Money issues caused by her secretive husband have resulted in them in heavily in debt and moving to a run-down house in a new neighbourhood. Andrea seems both physically and emotionally exhausted. She is befriended by a neighbour from a lovely home who writes an advice column for mothers with many appreciative followers.
The woman, Gemma, and Andrea become friends, and Andrea's son loves visits to Gemma's home, where there are toys and treats for his enjoyment. Gemma has a teenage son who is rarely home and a husband who travels within the USA. We follow the points of view of the two women and get a creepy feeling that things will not go well and their new friendship will soon explode. Both women are concealing secrets from one another.
I did feel the writing was more about devising surprising, shocking twists than a believable plot. The book was entertaining and kept me motivated to try to figure out its outcome.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review. The date of publication is January 3, 2023.
We have Andrea, heavily pregnant and already a mother of an active three-year-old boy. Money issues caused by her secretive husband have resulted in them in heavily in debt and moving to a run-down house in a new neighbourhood. Andrea seems both physically and emotionally exhausted. She is befriended by a neighbour from a lovely home who writes an advice column for mothers with many appreciative followers.
The woman, Gemma, and Andrea become friends, and Andrea's son loves visits to Gemma's home, where there are toys and treats for his enjoyment. Gemma has a teenage son who is rarely home and a husband who travels within the USA. We follow the points of view of the two women and get a creepy feeling that things will not go well and their new friendship will soon explode. Both women are concealing secrets from one another.
I did feel the writing was more about devising surprising, shocking twists than a believable plot. The book was entertaining and kept me motivated to try to figure out its outcome.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in return for an honest review. The date of publication is January 3, 2023.
December 29, 2022
Rounded up to 2.5. Okay, so as you can see this wasn’t my favourite by Nicole Trope. It was all pretty meh, and when it launched into the epilogue at 83% (the remainder was an extract from The Family Across the Street - a much better book) I was honestly shocked that was all there was to the story - talk about predictable! RTC.
October 12, 2024
Another great psychological thriller by Nicole Trope! The book is narrated through two POVs—Andrea, who is a young pregnant mother who moves to a new neighborhood with a young toddler, and Gabby, the woman across the street who is very into posting on social media, especially about her teenaged son, Flynn. Both women are hiding secrets about troubled aspects of their personal lives, which slowly are revealed over the course of the novel. Andrea is in a bit of a bind because of how close she is to her due date and because of troubles in her marriage and so she is forced to rely on Gabby for babysitting even though she doesn’t really know her. Then something terrible happens involving Flynn, and things quickly spiral out of control. I love books with unreliable narrators so this was a really fun one to read with lots of twists as we reached the second part of the novel. It was a short, fast-paced read that kept me guessing. I really liked the twists in the epilogues. 5/5 stars.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Bookouture and NetGalley for review purposes.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Bookouture and NetGalley for review purposes.
December 12, 2022
3.5 Stars
The Stay-at-Home Mother is a story of a struggling mother (Andrea) who has moved recently and is expecting her second child. Her neighbor from across the street (Gabby) who has a teenage boy is helping her with looking after her little son but one day when Andrea wakes up she finds Gabby’s house messy and her little son is nowhere…
Told in dual POV, 3rd person, it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this story, the writing was good, but I guessed the main twist right from the beginning but didn’t see that ending coming. Even though it was a bit predictable but still a page-turner and I couldn’t read it faster, it was fast-paced with short chapters. All in all, I had a good time reading it and hope you enjoy it as well.
Thanks to Nicole Trope, Netgalley, and Bookouture for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review (Expected publication: January 3rd, 2023)
The Stay-at-Home Mother is a story of a struggling mother (Andrea) who has moved recently and is expecting her second child. Her neighbor from across the street (Gabby) who has a teenage boy is helping her with looking after her little son but one day when Andrea wakes up she finds Gabby’s house messy and her little son is nowhere…
Told in dual POV, 3rd person, it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this story, the writing was good, but I guessed the main twist right from the beginning but didn’t see that ending coming. Even though it was a bit predictable but still a page-turner and I couldn’t read it faster, it was fast-paced with short chapters. All in all, I had a good time reading it and hope you enjoy it as well.
Thanks to Nicole Trope, Netgalley, and Bookouture for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review (Expected publication: January 3rd, 2023)
January 2, 2023
My favourite Nicole Trope book so far!
The synopsis had me hooked, and while it took a while to become actually relevant to the story, I think it was a wonderfully intriguing start.
I couldn't put this down, Trope kept it interesting and I raced through it. The ending made me grin like a Cheshire cat!
I'm becoming a huge Trope fan, she writes fascinating characters with a wonderfully gripping plot around them.
Fantastic.
The synopsis had me hooked, and while it took a while to become actually relevant to the story, I think it was a wonderfully intriguing start.
I couldn't put this down, Trope kept it interesting and I raced through it. The ending made me grin like a Cheshire cat!
I'm becoming a huge Trope fan, she writes fascinating characters with a wonderfully gripping plot around them.
Fantastic.
January 2, 2023
Review coming soon.
December 9, 2022
Her chest tightens, her heart speeding up. The kitchen is chaos. She steps on something hard, and looks down. Toy dinosaurs are scattered everywhere. But her son is nowhere - her baby boy is gone. The police arrive. She can't look at her husband, she studies the network of lines on her shaking hands. Then her phone beeps with a voice message. "Listen to it on speaker" says the detective. A woman's voice fills the air....
Wow. This is another page turning, gripping and well written book. The pace is fast and I was pulled into this story from the first page. The characters are well developed. I think this is a book that you need to go into blind, the less you know about the plotline, the more you'll enjoy the story when you do read it. There's twists and red herrings, but I did eventually guess where the story was heading.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #NicoleTrope for my ARC ofn #TheStayAtHomeMother in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. This is another page turning, gripping and well written book. The pace is fast and I was pulled into this story from the first page. The characters are well developed. I think this is a book that you need to go into blind, the less you know about the plotline, the more you'll enjoy the story when you do read it. There's twists and red herrings, but I did eventually guess where the story was heading.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #NicoleTrope for my ARC ofn #TheStayAtHomeMother in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2023
Super fun cover that grabbed my attention right away.
I love any domestic thriller premise like this.
This fast paced book kept me on my toes. Yes, there is some predictability but the twists really surprised me. It was a fun and entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
I look forward to reading more from Nicole Trope
I love any domestic thriller premise like this.
This fast paced book kept me on my toes. Yes, there is some predictability but the twists really surprised me. It was a fun and entertaining read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
I look forward to reading more from Nicole Trope
December 4, 2022
This was a good book, though I felt the synopsis was very misleading; it took 2 different parts of the book and meshed them together. The story centers on Andrea, who (reluctantly) moves to a new neighborhood with her husband and young son, and with another baby in the way. She meets the neighbor across the street, Gabby, who is eager to become friends and spend some time with Andrea’s son. The chapters alternate between the POVs of these 2 women.
As you can imagine, both Gabby and Andrea are keeping secrets. Some of the twists seemed pretty obvious to me but others were a surprise. Even when I had figured out the twist, I thought the storyline flowed well and the overall pacing of the book was fast. The end had some genuine surprises and I liked how it all turned out, though I think some people probably won’t.
Overall, this was a fun and fast paced read, but you’ll be extra surprised if you rely on the synopsis to determine the storyline. I’d recommend the book for those who like mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As you can imagine, both Gabby and Andrea are keeping secrets. Some of the twists seemed pretty obvious to me but others were a surprise. Even when I had figured out the twist, I thought the storyline flowed well and the overall pacing of the book was fast. The end had some genuine surprises and I liked how it all turned out, though I think some people probably won’t.
Overall, this was a fun and fast paced read, but you’ll be extra surprised if you rely on the synopsis to determine the storyline. I’d recommend the book for those who like mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2022
“Everyone is hiding something. It’s just that some people are better at it than others.”
Trope’s upcoming book is a five-star, mind-bending thrill ride!
It’s about how we react when we find ourselves in the midst of the unthinkable. It’s about the tendency to overlook our blessings at the first sign of a struggle. And most of all, it’s about the importance of living authentically, wary about the ‘fake news’ that bombards us daily.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with such an unreliable narrator…and I think I liked it! I was aware from the outset that the Gatelys and the Burrells were keeping secrets, but every time I thought I had it figured out, Trope surprised me. I liked how she used plausible topics from today’s newspaper headlines to explore her theme of deceit, mental illness and fraud. As I turned the last page, I thought how sad it is that it takes the experience of almost losing everything for human beings to place a greater value on change.
Trope’s characters are emotionally driven and she uses their unthinkable experience to explore relationships, forgiveness, appearances, and justice. She proves that a fresh start is within the grasp of each of us; we are only one decision away from a completely different life.
This thought-provoking psychological thriller must be on your reading list in the new year.
Be ware of Greeks bearing gifts! Chocolates aren't JUST chocolates.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Trope’s upcoming book is a five-star, mind-bending thrill ride!
It’s about how we react when we find ourselves in the midst of the unthinkable. It’s about the tendency to overlook our blessings at the first sign of a struggle. And most of all, it’s about the importance of living authentically, wary about the ‘fake news’ that bombards us daily.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with such an unreliable narrator…and I think I liked it! I was aware from the outset that the Gatelys and the Burrells were keeping secrets, but every time I thought I had it figured out, Trope surprised me. I liked how she used plausible topics from today’s newspaper headlines to explore her theme of deceit, mental illness and fraud. As I turned the last page, I thought how sad it is that it takes the experience of almost losing everything for human beings to place a greater value on change.
Trope’s characters are emotionally driven and she uses their unthinkable experience to explore relationships, forgiveness, appearances, and justice. She proves that a fresh start is within the grasp of each of us; we are only one decision away from a completely different life.
This thought-provoking psychological thriller must be on your reading list in the new year.
Be ware of Greeks bearing gifts! Chocolates aren't JUST chocolates.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 12, 2022
I saw the synopsis for this book and immediately wanted to read it! Though the synopsis was slightly flipped, this book definitely didn’t disappoint; it was a page-turner that I read in one sitting, and it had good commentary about social media.
This book is about two women: Andrea and Gabby. Andrea is a stay-at-home mom of a three-year-old, and is also nine months pregnant. Her husband made some mistakes, so they’ve moved into an older, worn-down place that doesn’t feel like a home. Andrea is striving to suck it up and forgive, but when she meets their new neighbor, Gabby, everything changes.
Gabby is slightly older, with a teenage son and a Facebook page devoted to mothering. She has women across Australia following her parenting advice, her house is beautiful, and Gabby’s son, Jack, takes an instant liking to her. The reader will soon realize one thing though - Gabby is batshit crazy.
I raced through this and figured out one of the big twists quite early, but there were more surprises to come! This was quite a twisty book, and the epilogue leaves you with the biggest surprise of all - that one I definitely didn’t see coming. This is a perfect afternoon or before-bed book that you definitely won’t want to put down. Four stars for thoroughly entertaining me!
(Thank you to Bookouture, Nicole Trope, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 3, 2023.)
This book is about two women: Andrea and Gabby. Andrea is a stay-at-home mom of a three-year-old, and is also nine months pregnant. Her husband made some mistakes, so they’ve moved into an older, worn-down place that doesn’t feel like a home. Andrea is striving to suck it up and forgive, but when she meets their new neighbor, Gabby, everything changes.
Gabby is slightly older, with a teenage son and a Facebook page devoted to mothering. She has women across Australia following her parenting advice, her house is beautiful, and Gabby’s son, Jack, takes an instant liking to her. The reader will soon realize one thing though - Gabby is batshit crazy.
I raced through this and figured out one of the big twists quite early, but there were more surprises to come! This was quite a twisty book, and the epilogue leaves you with the biggest surprise of all - that one I definitely didn’t see coming. This is a perfect afternoon or before-bed book that you definitely won’t want to put down. Four stars for thoroughly entertaining me!
(Thank you to Bookouture, Nicole Trope, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on January 3, 2023.)
January 14, 2023
My first book by Nicole Trope and I thought it was a good one. A quick read with plenty of twists. Definitely a page turner. I thought it was suspenseful and fast paced. My kind of domestic thriller!
Andrea and her husband Terry move to a new neighborhood. She has a young son and is pregnant. She becomes quick friends with her neighbor across the street, Gabby, who is also a mother to a teenage son. The story is told through the POV of Andrea and Gabby. Both characters are unreliable, and both are hiding secrets from eachother. Gabby offers to help Andrea, and she is tired so she takes Gabby up on her offers. One day while Gabby is watching her son, she arrives home and her son is missing. I really don't want to give anything more away, but this story was pretty crazy, just the way I like. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out now.
Andrea and her husband Terry move to a new neighborhood. She has a young son and is pregnant. She becomes quick friends with her neighbor across the street, Gabby, who is also a mother to a teenage son. The story is told through the POV of Andrea and Gabby. Both characters are unreliable, and both are hiding secrets from eachother. Gabby offers to help Andrea, and she is tired so she takes Gabby up on her offers. One day while Gabby is watching her son, she arrives home and her son is missing. I really don't want to give anything more away, but this story was pretty crazy, just the way I like. Highly recommend!
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own. Out now.
December 16, 2022
"I've messed up really badly."
Andrea and Terry are a young couple with a little boy named Jack. Terry lost their home with his gambling problem, so their new living arrangement is a little odd, the house being a fixer-upper of a friend of Andrea's father, until he can get around to selling it.
Andrea is somewhat bitter about their losses but ready to start over. She had trust issues but her neighbor Gabby tears down some of those walls. Gabby is older than Andrea and seems to have it all together. Her home is immaculate, her snacks are delicious.
Andrea has a standing offer for Gabby to watch Jack but whenever she does, Gabby seems to try and scamper off with him. Is she just being a good friend or is she wanting something else entirely? To hear Gabby tell it, she's busy with her own son Flynn but something about that feels off.
When strange things start to happen, Andrea doesn't know if she's imagining it, or if Terry's gambling problem has reared its ugly head again. Does she have time to discover the truth before losing her family for good this time?
This was great as always. Trope knows how to pull your heartstrings and create a suspenseful world in her stories that keep you turning the pages to reveal every twist. Gabby was interesting but I was particularly impressed by the complex relationship between Terry and Andrea. As someone who has dealt with a loved one in the weeds of addiction, it really rang true and my heart dropped for Andrea so many times.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
Andrea and Terry are a young couple with a little boy named Jack. Terry lost their home with his gambling problem, so their new living arrangement is a little odd, the house being a fixer-upper of a friend of Andrea's father, until he can get around to selling it.
Andrea is somewhat bitter about their losses but ready to start over. She had trust issues but her neighbor Gabby tears down some of those walls. Gabby is older than Andrea and seems to have it all together. Her home is immaculate, her snacks are delicious.
Andrea has a standing offer for Gabby to watch Jack but whenever she does, Gabby seems to try and scamper off with him. Is she just being a good friend or is she wanting something else entirely? To hear Gabby tell it, she's busy with her own son Flynn but something about that feels off.
When strange things start to happen, Andrea doesn't know if she's imagining it, or if Terry's gambling problem has reared its ugly head again. Does she have time to discover the truth before losing her family for good this time?
This was great as always. Trope knows how to pull your heartstrings and create a suspenseful world in her stories that keep you turning the pages to reveal every twist. Gabby was interesting but I was particularly impressed by the complex relationship between Terry and Andrea. As someone who has dealt with a loved one in the weeds of addiction, it really rang true and my heart dropped for Andrea so many times.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
August 10, 2023
Firstly I have to say I loved this book, from the first page I was hooked and I read this in one sitting, as I just couldn't put it down.
The story is told from Andrea and Gabby's POV.
Andrea is married to Terry and they have a son Jack and another one on the way. They have just moved house and Andrea is tired and feeling vulnerable, she has a feeling her husband is keeping secrets from her.
Gabby is an older mother with a teenage son Flynn. She has a following on Social Media for her parenting advice.
The two women become friends and Gabby is keen to help Andrea and offer to babysit for her.
Both women have secrets!!!
I would definitely recommend reading this thrilling and unforgettable book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from Andrea and Gabby's POV.
Andrea is married to Terry and they have a son Jack and another one on the way. They have just moved house and Andrea is tired and feeling vulnerable, she has a feeling her husband is keeping secrets from her.
Gabby is an older mother with a teenage son Flynn. She has a following on Social Media for her parenting advice.
The two women become friends and Gabby is keen to help Andrea and offer to babysit for her.
Both women have secrets!!!
I would definitely recommend reading this thrilling and unforgettable book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2022
This is the 2nd book I’ve read this week by Nicole Trope and once again, she has us guessing till the end. Andrea who is pregnant with her 2nd child and is mom to Jack. She lives across the street from Gemma who has her own set of “issues”. They become good friends but lots of secrets come out! A nice twist at the end brings it altogether! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published January 2023.
January 3, 2023
"Loving mother...Loyal friend...Liar."
Nicole Trope never fails to thrill readers and though this one begins a little differently with something of a slow build, it definitely gains momentum and picks up pace as everything slots into place. I could relate to the weather and the constant autumn rain, spring rain, summer rain and back to autumn rain again as in Australia we have just endured that weather system with so much rain and constant flooding that just seems to come back again and again. But maybe this year will be different. But I digress...
Firstly, that prologue. WOW! Throwing the reader right into it that leaves our head spinning with possible scenarios...and then tapering off to where exactly? The story rewinds back some five weeks prior to the events coming to a head with Andrea having moved with her husband Terry and 3 year old son Jack into the damp ridden house that really wasn't fit for living in. But having no choice they were out of options as a kind gesture gave them a roof until they could get back on their feet. Weighed down at eight months pregnant, Andrea could think of better things to be doing rather than unpacking boxes in a house she wished she never had to move to and longed for the friends she had left behind.
Across the road, Gabby watched the new arrivals moving in and pondered what renovations they would soon be undertaking as the house was in dire need of renovating. I mean, why else did they pay such an exorbitant amount for the property if they didn't have plans for it? But that isn't her concern. What captured her attention was the little boy and the tired look on the heavily pregnant mother's face. What she needed was a friend. And Gabby decided that she would be that friend. After all, she needs one too. Dealing with all she had to deal with on a daily basis with her son Flynn that left her in tears, a friend is something she longed for to confide in. Of course, she has her Facebook mother's advice forum she runs but they aren't "real" friends, are they?
So one day Gabby crosses the road and reaches out the tired Andrea and the two women become friends. Jack loves visiting Gabby's house where there are plenty of toys and treats on offer, and he can play to his heart's content while the women talk. Gabby confides about her teenage son Flynn who is rarely home and a husband Richard who is somewhere in the US on business. Andrea doesn't reveal much but Gabby feels that she will in time.
And then Andrea begins to notice the red sedan with the mismatched door driving slowly past the house and she gets a strange feeling. Not again. Who is this person and why are they watching her? She tries to tell Terry but he dismisses it as just a tradie in the neighbourhood needing directions or her imagination. But is it her imagination or has Terry's problem reared its ugly head yet again? Gabby notices the red car parked out the front of their houses too. But she isn't sure if they are watching Andrea's house or hers. What if they are after her? Could they be?
And then when Andrea goes into labour suddenly, she is unable to contact Terry. He's not at work and not answering his mobile. Where the hell is he? But that is only the beginning of her problems when she discovers everything she thought she knew is a lie.
THE STAY AT HOME MOTHER begins as a slow build that may seem off base at first but soon the pieces of the jigsaw come together, with the pace picking up at lightning speed as the reader races through the pages to see how it all ends. There are loads of red herrings and you don't know who or what you can trust. So many questions...what to believe?
The story unfolds through Andrea and Gabby's alternating narratives respectively. And oh how I love an unreliable narrator! But can we trust both women? Andrea's "baby brain" could be playing tricks with her perception and Gabby may or may not be who she claims to be. And then there is Terry. Dodgy much? I couldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Everything that came out of his mouth was a lie, or a deflection which is still a lie anyway. Did he not value his family? His wife is ready to drop their second child, for goodness sake! And she is so obviously exhausted, that the reader can't help but question her narrative at times. But is everything as it seems?
I had so many questions right up and slowly pieced bits together in my mind - some of which were right. I figured out one of the biggest twists very early on but there were more surprises to come. But the biggest of all was that ending. Just brilliant! Did you see it coming?
I love how Trope explored a number of issues, dealing with them sensitively, which I won't list here as it could be deemed a spoiler. But as with all her books she takes topics that are relative to many and weaves her story around them while doing so with sensitivity.
This is my umpteenth book by Nicole Trope and she is one of my favourite authors. I love her style and the fact she is in Sydney too so I can relate to some of what she is writing about - places, the weather, the cost of things etc. I read this book in a day, and as with all her books, it was the perfect afternoon or bedtime read.
I would like to thank #NicoleTrope, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheStayAtHomeMother in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Nicole Trope never fails to thrill readers and though this one begins a little differently with something of a slow build, it definitely gains momentum and picks up pace as everything slots into place. I could relate to the weather and the constant autumn rain, spring rain, summer rain and back to autumn rain again as in Australia we have just endured that weather system with so much rain and constant flooding that just seems to come back again and again. But maybe this year will be different. But I digress...
Firstly, that prologue. WOW! Throwing the reader right into it that leaves our head spinning with possible scenarios...and then tapering off to where exactly? The story rewinds back some five weeks prior to the events coming to a head with Andrea having moved with her husband Terry and 3 year old son Jack into the damp ridden house that really wasn't fit for living in. But having no choice they were out of options as a kind gesture gave them a roof until they could get back on their feet. Weighed down at eight months pregnant, Andrea could think of better things to be doing rather than unpacking boxes in a house she wished she never had to move to and longed for the friends she had left behind.
Across the road, Gabby watched the new arrivals moving in and pondered what renovations they would soon be undertaking as the house was in dire need of renovating. I mean, why else did they pay such an exorbitant amount for the property if they didn't have plans for it? But that isn't her concern. What captured her attention was the little boy and the tired look on the heavily pregnant mother's face. What she needed was a friend. And Gabby decided that she would be that friend. After all, she needs one too. Dealing with all she had to deal with on a daily basis with her son Flynn that left her in tears, a friend is something she longed for to confide in. Of course, she has her Facebook mother's advice forum she runs but they aren't "real" friends, are they?
So one day Gabby crosses the road and reaches out the tired Andrea and the two women become friends. Jack loves visiting Gabby's house where there are plenty of toys and treats on offer, and he can play to his heart's content while the women talk. Gabby confides about her teenage son Flynn who is rarely home and a husband Richard who is somewhere in the US on business. Andrea doesn't reveal much but Gabby feels that she will in time.
And then Andrea begins to notice the red sedan with the mismatched door driving slowly past the house and she gets a strange feeling. Not again. Who is this person and why are they watching her? She tries to tell Terry but he dismisses it as just a tradie in the neighbourhood needing directions or her imagination. But is it her imagination or has Terry's problem reared its ugly head yet again? Gabby notices the red car parked out the front of their houses too. But she isn't sure if they are watching Andrea's house or hers. What if they are after her? Could they be?
And then when Andrea goes into labour suddenly, she is unable to contact Terry. He's not at work and not answering his mobile. Where the hell is he? But that is only the beginning of her problems when she discovers everything she thought she knew is a lie.
THE STAY AT HOME MOTHER begins as a slow build that may seem off base at first but soon the pieces of the jigsaw come together, with the pace picking up at lightning speed as the reader races through the pages to see how it all ends. There are loads of red herrings and you don't know who or what you can trust. So many questions...what to believe?
The story unfolds through Andrea and Gabby's alternating narratives respectively. And oh how I love an unreliable narrator! But can we trust both women? Andrea's "baby brain" could be playing tricks with her perception and Gabby may or may not be who she claims to be. And then there is Terry. Dodgy much? I couldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Everything that came out of his mouth was a lie, or a deflection which is still a lie anyway. Did he not value his family? His wife is ready to drop their second child, for goodness sake! And she is so obviously exhausted, that the reader can't help but question her narrative at times. But is everything as it seems?
I had so many questions right up and slowly pieced bits together in my mind - some of which were right. I figured out one of the biggest twists very early on but there were more surprises to come. But the biggest of all was that ending. Just brilliant! Did you see it coming?
I love how Trope explored a number of issues, dealing with them sensitively, which I won't list here as it could be deemed a spoiler. But as with all her books she takes topics that are relative to many and weaves her story around them while doing so with sensitivity.
This is my umpteenth book by Nicole Trope and she is one of my favourite authors. I love her style and the fact she is in Sydney too so I can relate to some of what she is writing about - places, the weather, the cost of things etc. I read this book in a day, and as with all her books, it was the perfect afternoon or bedtime read.
I would like to thank #NicoleTrope, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheStayAtHomeMother in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 3, 2023
This was quite a strange book, quite confused and the writing was all over the place. Another low rated book for the beginning of the year. Not a very promising start. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
June 30, 2024
Setting: Sydney, Australia; modern day.
In a prestigious Sydney suburb, Andrea, her husband Terry and three-year-old son Jack move into a dilapidated house currently awaiting renovation. Their reduced circumstances have been brought about by Terry's gambling debts, leading them to lose everything. Having to leave all her friends behind and still not trusting Terry when he supposedly goes off to work every day, Andrea soon finds herself craving the friendship of her new neighbour, Gabby, who seems to have it all.
Gabby has a teenage son, Flynn, and her husband Richard is currently working in the US. Gabby meanwhile passes her time blogging about bringing up teenagers and offering advice to other women whilst getting her own support. Her new friendship with Andrea is a big change for Gabby. But everything about Gabby is not as it seems.....
Another great book from this author although not the best of hers in my opinion. Great twists and turns (some of which I guessed and some I didn't!) and good characters and setting made this an excellent read - 9/10.
In a prestigious Sydney suburb, Andrea, her husband Terry and three-year-old son Jack move into a dilapidated house currently awaiting renovation. Their reduced circumstances have been brought about by Terry's gambling debts, leading them to lose everything. Having to leave all her friends behind and still not trusting Terry when he supposedly goes off to work every day, Andrea soon finds herself craving the friendship of her new neighbour, Gabby, who seems to have it all.
Gabby has a teenage son, Flynn, and her husband Richard is currently working in the US. Gabby meanwhile passes her time blogging about bringing up teenagers and offering advice to other women whilst getting her own support. Her new friendship with Andrea is a big change for Gabby. But everything about Gabby is not as it seems.....
Another great book from this author although not the best of hers in my opinion. Great twists and turns (some of which I guessed and some I didn't!) and good characters and setting made this an excellent read - 9/10.
January 3, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Stay-At-Home Mother' by Nicole Trope.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Nicole Trope, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 3rd January 2023. Happy publication day Nicole!!
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Girl Who Never Came Home', 'The Stepchild', 'The Mother's Fault' or 'The Family Across The Street' which I also recommend anyone read.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will leave you gasping with shock and staying up way past your bedtime. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty and Adele Parks.' I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and Liane Moriarty so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Nicole and if this is half as good as 'The Girl Who Never Came Home', 'The Stepchild', 'The Mother's Fault' or 'The Family Across The Street' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 34 chapters and 2 epilogues. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Andrea and Gabby. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Stay-At-Home Mother' discusses some topics that may trigger 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 Nicole discusses/includes child abduction and gambling.
OMG!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! WHAT HAVE I JUST READ!?!?!? Nicole Trope you are a writing legend!!!
This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all feeling the hairs raise on their arms and feeling their heart pounding with Andrea's. This title, cover and synopsis suited it perfectly along with the cover and synopsis.
This book has got to be the most heart racing books I've read I a long time, of not ever!!! It had be hook, line and sinker from the first page and I could not put it down!!! Every time I said one more chapter it ended on a cliffhanger and I just had to know what was going on!!! If you are going to read this then clear your day because it is truly unputdownable. I started this this morning and finished it at 2am reading it in one sitting and although I'm knackered today it was 1000000% worth it!!! The storyline is unique and scarily very realistic. I loved that you got to see everything that was going on from Andrea and Gabby who were all in the centre of it all. There were little hints dropped as to what had actually going on but I never did guess right. When I found out I was completely shocked which is a huge achievement as Ive read so many books so it is harder and harder to shock me so another HUGE congratulations Nicole!!! It really does make you think how life can change so quickly and different decisions can change a life. It also makes you think how looks can be deceiving. Nicole has yet again written about an important subject (unfortunately, I can't tell you what the main one is as I don't want to give anything, you'll just have to grab your copy to find out!) and turned it into a heart stopping, page turning novela. My heart was in my throat and I was on the edge of my seat throughout reading this. I was completely invested in the storyline and it will stay with me for a long time. The ending was was absolutely jaw dropping and so unexpected. I also love the fact that it didn't end how many people would liked it to have as this makes it even more unpredictable and unexpected but also realistic. This book would make a fantastic movie.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
All the characters were realistic, well developed and had strong characteristics and personalities. My heart went out to Andrea on so many occasions for several different reasons. It is really hard to say how I feel about the characters without giving too much away but I will try my best. I could relate to Andrea in several ways with being on your own for most of the time with small children being one of them and I could easily see how what she did could easily be done (sorry but you'll have to click the link below to see what I mean!!). Although Terry really annoyed me and like Andrea I blamed him for alot of what happened I also did have a small amount of sympathy for him as like any other addiction what he did is an illness and hopefully he has learned his lesson. I also thought I felt very similar towards Gabby in a way but I wasn't so sure by the end although but I think I will definitely have to leave this here as I really don't want to spoil this incredible storyline for anyone. However, regardless of If you love them or hate them these characters work perfectly together to create an unputdownable book with some explosive twists!!
I did absolutely NOT expect that humongous bombshell at all. What an absolute twist!!! I can hand on my heart say that I cannot remember when I was so gobsmacked by a book twist but Nicole you have done just that!!! This book is rammed with suspense and tension and will keep you biting your nails, on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding while your flipping the pages because you just cant stop!!
If you read one book on your life, make sure it is this!!!! I would love to see this turned into a movie and Nicole I really hope you are working on your next psychological thriller at this moment because this book will go far!!! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on what promises to be a MASSIVE success!!!
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of Nicole's 'The Family Across The Street' which is another addictive must read page turner by Nicole!!
Overall an absolutely heart racing, nail biting, unputdownable psychological thriller with several bombshells you will not see coming!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Literary Fiction, Women's Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Coming-Of-Age story, Mystery, Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Noir Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell, 'The Wife Between Us', Liane Moriarty, Adele Parksanyone who has read any of Nicole's previous books AND YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY AND JUST EVERYONE!!! .
286 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £7.99 in your paperback via Amazon (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED 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
#TheStepchild #Bookouture #NicoleTrope #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@NicoleTrope @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
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Review for 'The Stay-At-Home Mother' by Nicole Trope.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Nicole Trope, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 3rd January 2023. Happy publication day Nicole!!
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Girl Who Never Came Home', 'The Stepchild', 'The Mother's Fault' or 'The Family Across The Street' which I also recommend anyone read.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'An absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller that will leave you gasping with shock and staying up way past your bedtime. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Liane Moriarty and Adele Parks.' I am a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and Liane Moriarty so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Nicole and if this is half as good as 'The Girl Who Never Came Home', 'The Stepchild', 'The Mother's Fault' or 'The Family Across The Street' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 34 chapters and 2 epilogues. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonists are Andrea and Gabby. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'The Stay-At-Home Mother' discusses some topics that may trigger 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 Nicole discusses/includes child abduction and gambling.
OMG!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! WHAT HAVE I JUST READ!?!?!? Nicole Trope you are a writing legend!!!
This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all feeling the hairs raise on their arms and feeling their heart pounding with Andrea's. This title, cover and synopsis suited it perfectly along with the cover and synopsis.
This book has got to be the most heart racing books I've read I a long time, of not ever!!! It had be hook, line and sinker from the first page and I could not put it down!!! Every time I said one more chapter it ended on a cliffhanger and I just had to know what was going on!!! If you are going to read this then clear your day because it is truly unputdownable. I started this this morning and finished it at 2am reading it in one sitting and although I'm knackered today it was 1000000% worth it!!! The storyline is unique and scarily very realistic. I loved that you got to see everything that was going on from Andrea and Gabby who were all in the centre of it all. There were little hints dropped as to what had actually going on but I never did guess right. When I found out I was completely shocked which is a huge achievement as Ive read so many books so it is harder and harder to shock me so another HUGE congratulations Nicole!!! It really does make you think how life can change so quickly and different decisions can change a life. It also makes you think how looks can be deceiving. Nicole has yet again written about an important subject (unfortunately, I can't tell you what the main one is as I don't want to give anything, you'll just have to grab your copy to find out!) and turned it into a heart stopping, page turning novela. My heart was in my throat and I was on the edge of my seat throughout reading this. I was completely invested in the storyline and it will stay with me for a long time. The ending was was absolutely jaw dropping and so unexpected. I also love the fact that it didn't end how many people would liked it to have as this makes it even more unpredictable and unexpected but also realistic. This book would make a fantastic movie.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
All the characters were realistic, well developed and had strong characteristics and personalities. My heart went out to Andrea on so many occasions for several different reasons. It is really hard to say how I feel about the characters without giving too much away but I will try my best. I could relate to Andrea in several ways with being on your own for most of the time with small children being one of them and I could easily see how what she did could easily be done (sorry but you'll have to click the link below to see what I mean!!). Although Terry really annoyed me and like Andrea I blamed him for alot of what happened I also did have a small amount of sympathy for him as like any other addiction what he did is an illness and hopefully he has learned his lesson. I also thought I felt very similar towards Gabby in a way but I wasn't so sure by the end although but I think I will definitely have to leave this here as I really don't want to spoil this incredible storyline for anyone. However, regardless of If you love them or hate them these characters work perfectly together to create an unputdownable book with some explosive twists!!
I did absolutely NOT expect that humongous bombshell at all. What an absolute twist!!! I can hand on my heart say that I cannot remember when I was so gobsmacked by a book twist but Nicole you have done just that!!! This book is rammed with suspense and tension and will keep you biting your nails, on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding while your flipping the pages because you just cant stop!!
If you read one book on your life, make sure it is this!!!! I would love to see this turned into a movie and Nicole I really hope you are working on your next psychological thriller at this moment because this book will go far!!! A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on what promises to be a MASSIVE success!!!
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of Nicole's 'The Family Across The Street' which is another addictive must read page turner by Nicole!!
Overall an absolutely heart racing, nail biting, unputdownable psychological thriller with several bombshells you will not see coming!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Thriller, Literary Fiction, Women's Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Coming-Of-Age story, Mystery, Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Noir Fiction, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell, 'The Wife Between Us', Liane Moriarty, Adele Parksanyone who has read any of Nicole's previous books AND YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY AND JUST EVERYONE!!! .
286 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £7.99 in your paperback via Amazon (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED 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
#TheStepchild #Bookouture #NicoleTrope #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@NicoleTrope @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
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
December 17, 2022
Ooh…this gets the dreaded ‘It’s okay’ review.
I really spent much of the book kind of ambivalent. I was meh on our MC (her kid is adorbs though) and thought she was really kind of stupid to ignore the glaring red flags from our ick character.
But I read it and I was invested enough to really want to know what would happen and why.
And then (insert copious swearing here), I found out.
I hated the reason behind everything. The gotcha was kind of stupid and irritating.
While I didn’t want to throw my kindle at a wall, I was kind of…uninspired.
So, yeah. It’s okay.
Moving on.
I really spent much of the book kind of ambivalent. I was meh on our MC (her kid is adorbs though) and thought she was really kind of stupid to ignore the glaring red flags from our ick character.
But I read it and I was invested enough to really want to know what would happen and why.
And then (insert copious swearing here), I found out.
I hated the reason behind everything. The gotcha was kind of stupid and irritating.
While I didn’t want to throw my kindle at a wall, I was kind of…uninspired.
So, yeah. It’s okay.
Moving on.
January 29, 2023
Her chest tightens, her heart speeding up. The kitchen is chaos. She steps on something hard, and looks down. Toy dinosaurs are scattered everywhere. But her son is nowhere – her baby boy is gone.
An entertaining popcorn thriller with lots of juicy twists and turns. Set in Sydney, Australia we follow Andrea, heavily pregnant and mother of a three-year-old. Gabby, her new neighbour and a mother to a teenage son. They develop a friendship, until something terrible happens and things quickly spiral out of control. This has it all - unreliable narrators, palpable feelings of a mother’s desperation, an emotional roller-coaster, mental health issues, fraud and deceit and an exploration into relationships - and how well we really know someone. I flew through this, and cannot wait to read more from Nicole Trope! Highly recommended!
An entertaining popcorn thriller with lots of juicy twists and turns. Set in Sydney, Australia we follow Andrea, heavily pregnant and mother of a three-year-old. Gabby, her new neighbour and a mother to a teenage son. They develop a friendship, until something terrible happens and things quickly spiral out of control. This has it all - unreliable narrators, palpable feelings of a mother’s desperation, an emotional roller-coaster, mental health issues, fraud and deceit and an exploration into relationships - and how well we really know someone. I flew through this, and cannot wait to read more from Nicole Trope! Highly recommended!
April 22, 2024
The ending 😳
January 1, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Nicole Trope - 4 stars!
Andrea is pregnant and has a small son. Her and her husband, Terry, just moved into a new neighborhood because of money issues. Gabby lives across the street and welcomes Andrea; both seem lonely and in need of a friend. But both women are keeping secrets.
This is a book best gone into with as little knowledge as possible - especially because the synopsis doesn't really match up well with the book. The story unfolds from the viewpoints of both Andrea and Gabby, with lots of twists along the way, especially that ending! Also a relevant look at social media issues. Another quick, engrossing read from Nicole Trope!
Andrea is pregnant and has a small son. Her and her husband, Terry, just moved into a new neighborhood because of money issues. Gabby lives across the street and welcomes Andrea; both seem lonely and in need of a friend. But both women are keeping secrets.
This is a book best gone into with as little knowledge as possible - especially because the synopsis doesn't really match up well with the book. The story unfolds from the viewpoints of both Andrea and Gabby, with lots of twists along the way, especially that ending! Also a relevant look at social media issues. Another quick, engrossing read from Nicole Trope!
December 28, 2022
3.5 stars
This is a quick, entertaining psychological thriller set in Australia. The book is told through two points-of-view, Andrea and Gabby. Andrea, a young mother who is due any day with her second child. She knows that her husband is keeping secrets from her, but doesn't know the whole story of what he's hiding. Gabby was already living across the street when Andrea and her family move into the neighborhood. Gabby talks a lot about her husband and her teenaged son, but it's clear pretty early on that something is off with her. There is a strong sense of foreboding that something bad is going to come from these two women forming a friendship. Some of the details of the story didn't add up for me, but Iike all the plot twists, especially the final one at the very end of the book. I have other books by this author on my to-be-read list and after reading this enjoyable book, I'm really looking forward to reading them.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Bookouture. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is a quick, entertaining psychological thriller set in Australia. The book is told through two points-of-view, Andrea and Gabby. Andrea, a young mother who is due any day with her second child. She knows that her husband is keeping secrets from her, but doesn't know the whole story of what he's hiding. Gabby was already living across the street when Andrea and her family move into the neighborhood. Gabby talks a lot about her husband and her teenaged son, but it's clear pretty early on that something is off with her. There is a strong sense of foreboding that something bad is going to come from these two women forming a friendship. Some of the details of the story didn't add up for me, but Iike all the plot twists, especially the final one at the very end of the book. I have other books by this author on my to-be-read list and after reading this enjoyable book, I'm really looking forward to reading them.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Bookouture. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
August 5, 2025
È così facile manipolare gli adolescenti che pensano di sapere tutto. È così facile manipolare tutti, in realtà. La maggior parte delle persone non si aspetta che tu nasconda qualcosa della tua vita. Magari dici di stare bene quando in realtà le cose vanno un po’ male, ma nessuno si aspetta che tu menta completamente.[..]«Ci sono così tante persone che mentono su Facebook e Instagram, Andrea. L’intero mondo dei social media è una maschera. Nulla è reale.»
Molto avvincente, coinvolge dalle primissime pagine perché si sente subito un sentore di minaccia incombente, il ritmo è frenetico con tanti colpi di scena e depistaggi anche se verso la fine si intuisce qualcosa. Penso però che questo sia un libro che vada letto alla cieca, meno si conosce della trama, più si apprezzerà la storia e per questo preferisco non dire nulla.
Molto avvincente, coinvolge dalle primissime pagine perché si sente subito un sentore di minaccia incombente, il ritmo è frenetico con tanti colpi di scena e depistaggi anche se verso la fine si intuisce qualcosa. Penso però che questo sia un libro che vada letto alla cieca, meno si conosce della trama, più si apprezzerà la storia e per questo preferisco non dire nulla.
January 5, 2023
Dark secrets and sinister intentions. This was a gripping read full of tension. I really enjoyed it but I wish there had been more twists and I didn't much like the ending. I couldn't get enough of Gabby though. She was quite the character. Yikes!
April 12, 2023
Excellent read!
December 24, 2022
Woweeeee did this ending ever blow my mind!!!
Great great fantastic build up to what happened.
This book couldn't have been any better. I loved everything about it. The storyline, the characters the craziness, chapter length and how it all just flowed to make you not want to put it down.
Bravo!!
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
Great great fantastic build up to what happened.
This book couldn't have been any better. I loved everything about it. The storyline, the characters the craziness, chapter length and how it all just flowed to make you not want to put it down.
Bravo!!
Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.
January 19, 2023
Andrea and her husband Terry have had to downsize and move to a new neighborhood. Overwhelmed and with a baby due soon, Andrea gladly behinds her neighbor Gabby. Gabby instantly bonds with the young stay-at-home-mother, as she herself is on me too. Since her son is a teenager now, she has time on her hands and is happy to give Andrea a break by babysitting her toddler. On one of these occasions, Andrea returns home to find her son gone and Gabby’s house ransacked. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare.
This story grabbed me from the first few pages and never let up! My heart was in my throat for Andrea; I know what it is like to have young children and no village to support you. I can feel her desperation that made her finally accept Gabby’s help. It’s scary to think you could never really know somebody. There were several twists I didn’t see coming and the ending blew me away too. I think any thriller fan (particularly if domestic thrillers) would enjoy this one! Thank you to Netgalley, Nicole Trope and Bookouture the ARC! This book is out now.
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
This story grabbed me from the first few pages and never let up! My heart was in my throat for Andrea; I know what it is like to have young children and no village to support you. I can feel her desperation that made her finally accept Gabby’s help. It’s scary to think you could never really know somebody. There were several twists I didn’t see coming and the ending blew me away too. I think any thriller fan (particularly if domestic thrillers) would enjoy this one! Thank you to Netgalley, Nicole Trope and Bookouture the ARC! This book is out now.
This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.
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