The Perfect Home

by Natasha Boydell

Until the girl went missing, we thought it was the perfect place to live… When we move into the exclusive Westford Park housing estate, we feel safe at last. More like a country club, it has everything we might need – beautiful houses with big gardens, a pool, a boating lake, extensive grounds. It’s also got 24/7 security.

Our new neighbours are lovely too. We start to make friendships that feel like they could last a lifetime.

It feels like nothing could possibly go wrong here.

It’s like our secrets haven’t followed us here.

Or that’s what we think at first…

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Audiobook, Fiction

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2024

About the author

Natasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have featured in the top 100 charts in the UK, Canada and Australia, and include the top 10 bestseller The Fortune Teller.

Natasha's novels are available around the world in ebook, paperback and audiobook and have been translated into several languages. She lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.

Reviews

[aeryn rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

THE PLOT

Avril, Lily, and Sandy move into the new community, Westford Park, thinking it is going to be this perfect new development that will be a new and fresh start for everyone. It has a country club, a tennis court, a large pool; it's own security system; what's not to love? These 3 ladies have a close budding friendship and soon they are inseparable. However, they're all running from something. When, their pasts start to catch up with them and off things start happening within the complex, friendships are strained and loyalties are questioned. Can you really trust your neighbors?

MY THOUGHTS

I had a good time reading this! I really did have a good time. There was a lot to like about this book. One of them being the characters. They were so well developed and they each had such a unique backstory and background that wasn't shallow and made each of them so different! I loved Avril's healing relationship with her daughter throughout this story. Not just hers, but all 3 of the FMC's and their children and family. One of the things I didn't really love was how the children were written. It was VERY hard to like them in any sense. Their personalities are just not very likable and I couldn't actually see myself relating to any of them despite myself being closer to their age.

The plot itself I thought was a bit lackluster. I really enjoyed the thriller elements of the book, however! I was on the edge of my seat with this book and the plot had its juicy points. Although, I was expecting more. I think it under-delivered in the thriller department and the plot twists didn't really shock me. On a better note, this book was very bingeable I was able to finish it in less than 24 hours! This isn't a very fast-paced thriller/mystery but once you're in it, you're in it you don't wanna put it down. The point of loyalties to friends and families is most prevalent in this book. I think that was put above the actual thriller/mystery aspect of the book.

Overall, this book has it's positives and negatives. I would recommend this to anyone who likes more in depth characters and more of a slow-paced thriller with more mystery elements. Personally, this was good enough to keep my attention and I am honored I got an ARC because I truly did have a good time reading this!!

Thank you to Natasha Boydell, Boldwood Books, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!! <3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am ready to put all of my adult tasks to the side for the day to binge this 🫡

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Perfect Home" was not the "perfect" gripping psychological thriller promised by the publisher.

Instead, it was a domestic drama that lacked thrills and showcased waaay too much teen dialogue with predictable twists.

The book was overwritten and the 9.5-hour audiobook easily could have been 6.5 hours.

This being said, the book was engaging and I did make it to the finish line.

I listened to the audiobook read by Julie Maisey, who did an outstanding job with the narration.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my third read from this author and it really didn’t meet my expectations. I think it is the weakest plot because it was so slow to get going, not much happened and I found the ending to be rather far-fetched.

The story takes place on an exclusive residential housing estate, Westford Park, which has been named as the safest place in England. Except it would seem that security is not as perfect as advertised, leading to suspicious events that the three mothers – Avril, Sandy and Lily – see as indications of something sinister going on that is connected to their past.

Boydell takes the time to introduce the three different families but I must admit, it did take me a while to settle into their different personalities, let alone remember whose child was whose. I liked the concept that the women have each come to Westford Park for a reason – not simply moving home – and the suggestion of secrets meant that even something innocent as a leafleteer, signified something more to these characters.

On the other hand, I grew to despise Lilly and her daughter, Poppy. They are both so self-centred and I hated the way Poppy treated her Mother. She certainly would not have got away with her behaviour if she was my daughter! Similarly, I sympathised with Bethany’s circumstances as well as why Micky keeps being moved from place to place. Each child clearly has some complex domestic situations.

Yet, I don’t think too much happens in this novel until the last third. The story opens with a newspaper report about Poppy’s disappearance but it takes a long time to reach this point. By this time, I had lost any sympathy for Poppy and her family, and could think of many reasons why she could not be found. Furthermore, during this disappearance, I thought the police investigation to be completely lack-lustre and unbelievable; I could not understand how more was not being done and how developments appeared to be instantly dismissed. This definitely lessened my enjoyment of the book.

This is more of a domestic suspense but lacking the thrills. There is drama between the families and this lessens the pace and impact of the plot development. The mothers are as flawed as the children and, as more is revealed about the different backgrounds, you can understand why. However, the final few chapters where some key answers are provided, were the most enjoyable and I think this was where Boydell’s writing was the strongest. It reminded me of her previous books and I enjoyed these twists… it’s just a shame these happened in the final couple of chapters.

Overall, this is not one of Boydell’s best stories. I liked the premise of such a safe neighbourhood being targeted and the secrets of the families, but I don’t think it was the most gripping and believable of plots.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jai Chalke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 STARS
Nothing crazy good to write home about but I did like the way it kept you guessing. The last 2 chapters really engaged me, and I loved seeing the extra evil side of the people in the 'background' or the stories.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 3 out of 5]

4.5 stars audio
3.25 stars story

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This is an interesting psychological thriller. It is well written and easy to read. For me, it started interesting but didn’t completely pull me in at first. However, I did hit a point where I wanted to know what happened and didn’t stop reading.

There are quite a few characters and they are mostly well developed. I think we could have learned more about the teenagers since they do play a large role in the unfolding of the story.

Though I found the story engaging and there were definitely twists I didn’t see coming I do not think this book fully delivers as a thriller. I’m not sure I would classify it as such. It was much more character driven than plot driven I think. I found it interesting to see how the many different relationships grew and sometimes fell apart as the story progressed.

Overall, The Perfect Home is a quick, engaging read with some thought provoking elements for discussion. It would make a very good book club pick.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Zach Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Bit slow to start while it set the scene and some of the characters got muddled in my head. The last 5 chapters though were so good. Twists I didn’t even think were possible. Some very obvious. Some make me want a sequel.

[Sian Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I has high hopes for this book but it fell abit flat for me personally. Bit too long winded but an OK read.

[Krista (Mrs K Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Home is a quick, engaging read with some thought provoking elements for discussion. It would make a very good book club pick.

[Tiffany Fusco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the story! You kept guessing until you get all the answers. And then there's even more you didn't know! Lots of twists and turns.

[Zoe Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a character driven book centring on the new friendship between three women who become fast friends when they all move into the exclusive Westford Park housing estate. The new estate promises to deliver security, pool, clubhouse and lake with beautiful houses and is dubbed the safest in England.

The problem Is all three women moved here with their families to escape something, but the past has a habit of making itself apparent in the present, and as their friendships show cracks and the women are worrying about their teenagers, is evil lurking in the estate among them?

[Tara McCarthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thriller???

Don't know if I would call this a thriller compared to some other books I have read. Was very slow and complicated

[Courtney McGhee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off with an intriguing setup—a seemingly perfect gated community where everyone has something to hide. The friendships between Sandy, Lily, and Avril, along with their children, create an interesting dynamic, and the tension builds as secrets begin to unravel. The atmosphere is well-crafted, and the idea of past mistakes catching up to them in such a controlled environment is compelling.

However, the execution left something to be desired. While the mystery surrounding Poppy’s disappearance had potential, the final reveal felt rushed and overly convoluted. The idea of the kids forming a sinister pact could have been chilling, but it ended up feeling forced rather than shocking. Instead of a jaw-dropping twist, the climax felt more like a tangled mess of motivations that didn’t fully land.

Overall, it’s an entertaining read with some good suspense, but it doesn’t quite deliver the impact it promises. If you enjoy suburban thrillers with dark secrets, it’s worth a read, but don’t expect a mind-blowing twist.


Spoilers!

Bethany got in trouble for allegedly tying up a classmate and cutting her. Sandy is constantly on the run from her abusive ex husband that had Abducted micky when he was young and she threw in prison and lilys husband Eric has been cheating on her for years.

The big climax of the story is when poppy disappears. Turns out the other kids know and she claims it’s because of her father cheating her knowing and him trying to buy her secrecy. Turns out she was busy making mickys dad swerve and die and micky is supposed to Torture the girls that ruined Bethany’s life and Bethany is to help ruin her dad. They have a pact. That alls. What a dud.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new neighborhood sells the dream of being absolutely safe and secure.
Lily, Sandy, and Averil become close as do their kids: Poppy, Bethany, and Mick.
Boydell does a good job of slowly revealing the paranoia and secrets of all of them.
Some are insipid and some are egregious.
Personally, I thought all the characters were not very Likable, especially Poppy. Her stunt toward the end was reprehensible.
A place is what you make of it. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Rachel’s Random Resources for the ear,y read.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. I listened to this on audiobook. To be honest, it was a near DNF as it took awhile to get into, but I’d already invested over 2 hours in it and got stubborn!
It is quite mum lit for my tastes, and it follows 4 mums who have moved to a nice new housing estate and become friends. All have problems or are running from something. I think this would work well for fans of Lianne Moriarty.
It did have some good reveals at the end and didn’t feel like a total waste of time, but it definitely wasn’t the thriller I mistook it for from the cover.

[Taylor Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top books. Loved it so much!!! Never knew what to expect

[Faith Skyy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was just somewhat disappointing & the epilogue just felt forced. Not bad but could’ve been much better.

[Vivianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmm, a bit frustrating characters.

Only liked the end tbh but that did not make it worth it.

Fun but hm.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book went on and on . It was 3, then a 2 and then a 4.

[Ria Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't call this a gripping thriller. It was ok. A little drawn out. Not bad for a free prime read.

[Andrea Pole · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down but an anticlimactic ending.

[Adele Collings-Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I read it, but honestly couldn't recall what it was about. Not my speed, but ok for a free Prime read.

[Lacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Mackenzie Busalacchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Home is an intriguing, gripping psychological thriller that follows three women who move into a new housing estate with the goal of a fresh start. Avril, Lily, and Sandy all have their own reasons for needing to move to this new neighborhood and all are hoping for a new and positive experience. They soon become close friends and all of their hopes and wishes are becoming reality. All of their secrets and past traumas can hopefully be left behind. Then, things start to go horribly wrong. The past is quickly catching up to each of the women. Who is in the most danger? Will sharing their secrets save them as a group?

The Perfect Home is fast-paced and well-written. I loved how each chapter flowed into the next, which can be hard to accomplish with three POVs. The main characters were all well-developed; I truly felt that I got to know each of them and understood their decisions and challenges. For over 75 percent of the book, I had been planning to give it 5 stars. Then, I came to the ending. First, I thought the conclusion was rushed. Second, I didn't like how important the children's actions and decisions had on the entire plot. If they were going to be such a huge part of the ultimate mystery, I'd have liked some (not a lot) chapters from their POVs. Bethany was the only well-developed side character; the others were simply there until the reader realized that they were actually important. Finally, the ending just wasn't overly satisfying. I was left wanting more.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Perfect Home by Natasha Boydle A new neighborhood in an isolated location surrounding a lake called Westford Park has recently opened up as people start moving in the book focuses on three families Avril Stewart their daughter Bethany and son Tom, Lily, Eric and their daughter Poppy and last but not least is Sandy her wife Claire and children Mickey and Easley. Lily and Eric are the best host and the perfect couple, Avril and Stewart are going through a rough patch and have moved to run from their daughter Bethany‘s past and want to make a new start. As far as Claire and Sandy go they’re just there due to the 24 hour security because her son Micky‘s father is a stalker and has recently been released from prison. The first night there Avril is woken up in here sounds like young children being tortured and despite Stewart telling her it was probably wild life her new friend Lillys husband heard it as well. It isn’t long before Sandy Avril and Lily become close friends as well as their teenagers Micky Bethany and poppy Lily is very overprotective and despite Avril’s happiness at their daughters close friendship Lily doesn’t know how far she should let it go especially after Avril shares a private confidence with her and Sandy about Bethany but to keep the peace Lily says nothing. Sandy starts to question the 24 hour security when she feels her husband is stalking them again and when Claire hires a private investigator she learns he lives close by with the ruins their whole reason for moving there and when she sees a guy who seems to always be around poppy that looks familiar to her she starts to worry and wonder if she should tell Lily that soon Poppy goes missing and because Lily uses confidences as ammunition when angry their friendship goes up in flames most importantly however what happened to Poppy? Even though Poppy doesn’t go missing until like the last 20% of the book there’s a lots of drama in the interim that kept me glued to the pages even when they find out what happened to her in my opinion isn’t really the big wow moment of the book and they have many OMG moments, especially the epilogue. This was a really awesome book in the few things I have put in this very long review isn’t even half the story I don’t know if I’ve read a book by Natasha Boydle before but I am definitely a fan now and will remedy that problem immediately. This is a great book with hardly no eye rolling moments I thought Avril was a great mom as well as Sandy I thought Lily was overprotective and I don’t trust anyone that uses private intimate secrets as ammunition whenever things don’t go their way and that’s exactly what she does Avril and Sandy are better woman than I am because I would not have excused her behavior nor wanted to be her friend again. Having said that this is a great book that I definitely definitely recommend. I want to thank Boldwood books for my free art copy Net galley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Jacob Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Home is a tense novel by Natasha Boydell, and it only took me a couple of days to finish it. It follows Avril, who is moving into her new home with her family, her husband, and her daughter, Poppy. The home is within an exclusive community called Westford Park and Avril feels incredibly lucky to have been able to buy a house there and it does seem as though it will be the perfect place for them to live. But from the opening of the novel, we know a girl goes missing and Avril’s dream turns into a nightmare.

Right from the outset it is clear that Avril is worried about her daughter. Avril is fretful of Poppy being out of sight. Soon some of neighbours begin to suspect that perhaps there might be something more going on to explain why Avril is like this with her daughter. I wanted to find out what was really going on behind the scenes, and what the reason was behind Avril’s decision to move to a new neighbourhood. It is clear to see there is tension between her and Poppy.

I really connected to Avril and I wanted to follow her journey. Natasha Boydell creates a tense atmosphere surrounding her relationship with her daughter, Poppy, and it really does feel as though everything is building up towards something terrible. Natasha Boydell does a brilliant job of adding a real sense of foreboding over the course of the book which kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading. The characters are all really well drawn, especially the neighbours as well. We see this as Avril begins to make friends with them, and when the teenagers all begin to start forming friendships. Even this becomes a concern for Avril, especially as she is concerned about who Poppy might end up becoming romantically involved in. I really wanted to understand what was going on with Poppy.

Natasha Boydell draws out the tension really well as the book races towards its conclusion and the emotions the characters are experiencing pour out onto the page. The Perfect Home is the first book by Natasha Boydell which I have read, and I will definitely be checking out her other books. Psychological thriller lovers are in for a real treat.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)

Sometimes, looks can be deceiving. And as in the case of The Perfect Home, the perfect neighborhood, the perfect environment, the perfect people with their perfect families often have something to hide. I appreciated how the perfection of it all slowly unravels, until the truth is revealed, a little at a time.

There are three primary families within this story–Avril’s family, who moved to Westford Park in order to start fresh after a traumatic situation sends them scattering for something new, where no one knows them or their past. Sandy’s family also has past trauma, and Sandy needs the safety and security of their new housing estate, so she can finally feel like she can breathe again. Lily doesn’t know where the reality of life begins and where the fakeness of her family persona begins–she’s been doing it for so long, it’s hard to know how to tear apart the blurriness of those sharp edges. But together, the three women have potentially found a way to combat their pasts, to begin to trust and heal again.

Until scary things begin to happen in Westford Park. Screams in the night. Near-death experiences. Missing persons. Sandy is convinced she’s brought terror to their “safe” neighborhood, while Avril questions if it’s someone from her own family who could be causing trouble. Lily doesn’t know if she can rely or depend on her own family members. Everything begins to break apart, and the support system the friends have recently come to rely upon feels like it was never real to begin with.

I honestly had no idea what would happen in the end. When the girl went missing, I didn’t know where she was, how it was done, or who the culprit could be, and I really liked that a lot! Often, the answer is so obvious, but that wasn’t the case here. I loved the thrill factor of that! Also, the underlying current beneath this mystery are the changes that are being made within all three women. Avril has to learn how to trust again. Sandy has to learn that she will no longer let anyone hurt her, not ever again. And Lily has to learn how to stand on her own two feet, and the reader gets to see that unfold through each suspenseful-ridden chapter. It was a definite five-star experience!

[Mellissa Bushby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable, well-rounded read. I found the characters relatable and likable, barring Lily, who I could not warm to.

While I found Avril and Sandy pleasant, I'm not sure I would want to befriend Lily, I think the author could have softened her brittle and shallow edges a bit. Although I suppose with that husband of hers, you can't blame her. Actually... no. Scrap that. Her excuses were thin and ultimately destructive, these two ridiculous people were parents, after all. Anyway, who am I to judge? I suppose to each his own, sometimes people have a strange idea of what a good trade-off is.

On that topic, I do feel that we never got to know Poppy, which is a pity. I'm not sure why this is, I think it was a bit of an omission on the author's part, especially considering later events. I liked Bethany very much, she was relatable, and I think very indicative of your typical misunderstood teen, and one who in many ways had more common sense than some of the adults. (Which made Lily's behaviour even more abhorrent. If I were Avril I don't think I would have spoken to her again, not in a hurry).

I also liked Sandy and Clare, I think they added a bit of level-headedness to the inhabitants of Westford Park. Well, Clare more than Sandy for sure. But even that aspect is an insight into what it must be like to live with the memory of abuse. Awful, simply awful. The ending seemed a teeny bit rushed to me. I enjoyed the twist(s) in the tail, but I do think there were a few loose ends that needed more attention.

But don't let any of that put you off, it was a quick and easy read, enough to make me investigate Natasha Boydell's previous books, some of which sound quite appealing.

3 and a half stars rounded down.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three families move into the prestigious new development at Westford Park. This new housing estate with its high level security, lively club house, pretty boating lake and secluded woodland offers a new start for all of them as each family is hiding secrets which, if exposed, could ruin everything. Gradually, the ladies, Lily, Avril and Sandy form a close knit bond whilst at the same time their teenage children, Poppy, Bethany and Micky become firm friends. All should be well in this paradise but soon cracks start to appear and when one of the teenagers goes missing tempers start to flare, with disturbing consequences.

I’ve really enjoyed reading this domestic thriller, which looks at the dynamics of a small group of people who each have something to hide. There is much to discover, lots of loose ends which need tying up and more than enough teenage angst to make you ponder just what is going to happen next. The characters are well thought out, some of them I liked more than others but collectively they gel together well, making each of their stories entirely plausible.

The Perfect Home is a great example of showing that despite outside appearances seemingly perfect there are often secrets bubbling under the surface thus making the perfect home something of an enigma. I read the book in one sitting and can well imagine this as an ideal story to take on holiday to read poolside, or when you have an easy afternoon planned in the garden, as once started you won’t be able to stop until the story is told.