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Smileyface
A year after losing his wife in a tragic accident during a family vacation in Madeira, Simon is trying to rebuild his life with his young son Dan in a peaceful village on the outskirts of Cardiff.
But beneath the calm surface of their new community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost.
But beneath the calm surface of their new community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost.
- GenresHorror
336 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2025
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Lee Coates
3 books14 followersAfter having two kids, Lee Coates had almost given up on ever fulfilling his dream of writing a novel, spare time being so precious. However, a light-bulb moment occurred during one of his sons’ extracurricular activities. These interminable minutes needn’t be dead time. Lee can be regularly found writing his dark psychological thriller novels at the side of football pitches and tennis courts in his hometown of Cardiff.
He has written two dark psychological thriller novels to date - Smileyface and The Look.
Follow him on Instagram and Facebook for more updates.
He has written two dark psychological thriller novels to date - Smileyface and The Look.
Follow him on Instagram and Facebook for more updates.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 11, 2025
A harrowing chiller. With children being terrorised by the deranged Smileyface, I felt there were moments here that should have trigger warnings as there are moments that are every parent's worst nightmare! Cleverly written from multiple points of view, and punctuated with moments of humour, this is a must read for fans of tense thrillers and horror.
January 31, 2025
To begin with, thank you Lee for the ARC of your upcoming book. This is out on 28th March!
I absolutely loved this!
Simon is raising his son Dan alone after the horrific accidental death of his wife. The days are pretty normal, he just needs to focus on work and being a dad. You know, the normal. Remember the P.E kit!! Likewise for other parents too, like Stephanie and Carol and their boys.
This small Welsh village isn't as sweet and soft as its made out to be though. And while we learn about the beauty of nature that surrounds the village... something sinister is lingering in the shadows. Something preying on the young and the vulnerable, desperate to make them smile.
The opening chapter of this book is terrifying! And really set the scene of how the was book was going to go. What I particularly loved was how each character had so much personality - it's rare for an author to be able to achieve this with children character's, usually they just come off as some kind of side extension to their parent character. Lee deffo achieved this though. Each character was developed well with who they were, what they liked, their past, and their feelings about the situations going on. It felt realistic to their ages.
While alot of this book is quite a slow burn, focusing primarily on the characters, there is a constant air of tension. A constant eerie vibe that this very normal setting is going to be thrown upside down into a world of terror. You're reading it almost in slow motion, biting your nails, wondering what's going to happen and who is behind it. Like a game of murder mystery, you're thinking: who's this smileyface man with these wicked ways? Is it a parent? Is it a teacher? Is it something supernatural? Everytime something does happen, you're questioning who was there. Why does it always happen when that person is about? Didn't that other person just walk off before it happen? So many questions until the very end, and while I had my suspicions, I could never be sure! A proper "keep turning the pages" book, which is helped by the changes in POV too.
5 stars!!
I absolutely loved this!
Simon is raising his son Dan alone after the horrific accidental death of his wife. The days are pretty normal, he just needs to focus on work and being a dad. You know, the normal. Remember the P.E kit!! Likewise for other parents too, like Stephanie and Carol and their boys.
This small Welsh village isn't as sweet and soft as its made out to be though. And while we learn about the beauty of nature that surrounds the village... something sinister is lingering in the shadows. Something preying on the young and the vulnerable, desperate to make them smile.
The opening chapter of this book is terrifying! And really set the scene of how the was book was going to go. What I particularly loved was how each character had so much personality - it's rare for an author to be able to achieve this with children character's, usually they just come off as some kind of side extension to their parent character. Lee deffo achieved this though. Each character was developed well with who they were, what they liked, their past, and their feelings about the situations going on. It felt realistic to their ages.
While alot of this book is quite a slow burn, focusing primarily on the characters, there is a constant air of tension. A constant eerie vibe that this very normal setting is going to be thrown upside down into a world of terror. You're reading it almost in slow motion, biting your nails, wondering what's going to happen and who is behind it. Like a game of murder mystery, you're thinking: who's this smileyface man with these wicked ways? Is it a parent? Is it a teacher? Is it something supernatural? Everytime something does happen, you're questioning who was there. Why does it always happen when that person is about? Didn't that other person just walk off before it happen? So many questions until the very end, and while I had my suspicions, I could never be sure! A proper "keep turning the pages" book, which is helped by the changes in POV too.
5 stars!!
February 7, 2025
Lee has done it again! He's crafted another great psychological thriller that I genuinely struggled to put down!
Immediately from the first chapter, I could tell this one was going to be incredibly creepy, and I was correct! The premise of the evil character trying to make the community of Pentyrch smile, regardless of how he does so, is a very scary yet original concept!
I loved the South Wales setting once again, recognising many of the places mentioned! Garth Hill almost written as its own character, looming over the village as all the unpleasant things were happening. There was a strong community feel in the village, whereby you couldn't tell if some residents actually liked each other or if it was all for show! The multiple POVs added to this as some events were interpreted differently depending on the character! It was ingeniously written!
Though quite a slow burning book, the creepiness and dark nature of the unpleasant character, combined with themes of overcoming grief and navigating challenges in parenthood/family life, made for a tremendous book
Rating: 8.5/10
Immediately from the first chapter, I could tell this one was going to be incredibly creepy, and I was correct! The premise of the evil character trying to make the community of Pentyrch smile, regardless of how he does so, is a very scary yet original concept!
I loved the South Wales setting once again, recognising many of the places mentioned! Garth Hill almost written as its own character, looming over the village as all the unpleasant things were happening. There was a strong community feel in the village, whereby you couldn't tell if some residents actually liked each other or if it was all for show! The multiple POVs added to this as some events were interpreted differently depending on the character! It was ingeniously written!
Though quite a slow burning book, the creepiness and dark nature of the unpleasant character, combined with themes of overcoming grief and navigating challenges in parenthood/family life, made for a tremendous book
Rating: 8.5/10
February 25, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this novel. The opening chapter hooks you from the start, and figuring out the predators motivation along with another few red herrings creates a satisfying level of suspense throughout. The plot is well executed, leaving me questioning the outcome until the very end. The settings, dialogue and characters perspectives add to the atmosphere of this unique story. Would highly recommend this book.
March 28, 2025
This has an extremely unique storyline, with a very interesting plot. The first chapter literally took me in a cholk hold and didn't let go. I found myself reaching out to pick it up at any moment given.
A very damaged man, suffering from loss and grief, tries to make others feel happy by getting them to smile. However his smile is so terrifying it has the complete opposite effect. This is a story focuses on parents and their children within a small Welsh village.
There is a mix of class aswell as nuclear and one-parent families. Making the tale modern-day and relateable.
The quaint Welsh village was a moody setting which complimented the story. The author incorporated some Welsh language which was an intriguing learning curve for me.
Every character was intricately crafted, very memorable and had their own voice. The story is narrated between the POV of the parents and their children. This did incorporate some repetition but done in a way that it was invidula perspectives. The only thing I will say is that I found the childrens voices slightly over developed, some terms and language didn't match an
This is a highly multilayered story, with lots to unpick. You have the main guessing game of 'who is the haunting smiling man'. Then, your hit with a web of other intense incidents relating to the other characters. It's a dark tale with some tragic events.
A very damaged man, suffering from loss and grief, tries to make others feel happy by getting them to smile. However his smile is so terrifying it has the complete opposite effect. This is a story focuses on parents and their children within a small Welsh village.
There is a mix of class aswell as nuclear and one-parent families. Making the tale modern-day and relateable.
The quaint Welsh village was a moody setting which complimented the story. The author incorporated some Welsh language which was an intriguing learning curve for me.
Every character was intricately crafted, very memorable and had their own voice. The story is narrated between the POV of the parents and their children. This did incorporate some repetition but done in a way that it was invidula perspectives. The only thing I will say is that I found the childrens voices slightly over developed, some terms and language didn't match an
This is a highly multilayered story, with lots to unpick. You have the main guessing game of 'who is the haunting smiling man'. Then, your hit with a web of other intense incidents relating to the other characters. It's a dark tale with some tragic events.
October 19, 2025
I have had this on my TBR for ages and when it beat my own book for an indie award, it gave me the kick up the butt I needed to read it!
Talk about a creepy story! Not only that but I was instantly sucked in with Simon as a single father looking after his young son. It always makes books more real and personal when I can relate to a character.
The creepiness started early. This was great and a lot of time was spent on the characters back stories and while this was useful to develop and understand them, I did find it pulled me out of the main story rather a lot.
Overall though, a truly remarkable thriller that had so much depth and heart. Beautifully written too!
Talk about a creepy story! Not only that but I was instantly sucked in with Simon as a single father looking after his young son. It always makes books more real and personal when I can relate to a character.
The creepiness started early. This was great and a lot of time was spent on the characters back stories and while this was useful to develop and understand them, I did find it pulled me out of the main story rather a lot.
Overall though, a truly remarkable thriller that had so much depth and heart. Beautifully written too!
October 1, 2025
Enjoyed this! I picked this up as it is set in a village local to me, so I was interested to read something in a setting that I would recognise. A little slow in places, but I am glad I stuck with it. A few clever twists, some terrifying moments, and a small community rocked by tragedy after tragedy.
September 24, 2025
Before you open this one, be aware that it’s about someone who targets small children and there’s quite a powerful opening scene, not to mention a pretty disturbing one about halfway through.
If that’s something you might be adverse to, you should be aware of it. As a father to 2 young boys, I found it a bit tricky to read the scene in the middle and had to put the book down for a while 🙈
The story itself is a good one and the visceral nature adds to plot. Indeed, it’s essential to the plot. You can feel the dread through the pages.
I liked the setting, the characters and the plot is a really good one. A nightmare for parents, but will resonate with anyone, I would think.
Should suit anyone who likes a psychological thriller. Reminded me of Gillian Flynn or Freida McFadden.
If that’s something you might be adverse to, you should be aware of it. As a father to 2 young boys, I found it a bit tricky to read the scene in the middle and had to put the book down for a while 🙈
The story itself is a good one and the visceral nature adds to plot. Indeed, it’s essential to the plot. You can feel the dread through the pages.
I liked the setting, the characters and the plot is a really good one. A nightmare for parents, but will resonate with anyone, I would think.
Should suit anyone who likes a psychological thriller. Reminded me of Gillian Flynn or Freida McFadden.
April 3, 2025
*Book Review*
🅐🅓/🅟🅡 🅟🅡🅞🅓🅤🅒🅣
Publishing 28th March 2025
First I would like to start off by saying a huge thankyou to @leecoatesauthor for sending me a proof copy of his latest novel - Smileyface and i well and truly enjoyed it.
The book is set in a small welsh village, early on we learn about the beauty that surrounds the village; but do not be fooled it is not as sweet and innocent as it may seem, there is definitely something lurking in the shadows hoping to make them smile 😊
Now lets just take a minute to just talk about the first chapter in this book 😲 it is truly terrifying and sets the tone of the book immediatley. It was just wow moment and i was hooked. The way Lee is able to create such gore in the certain chapters is just fabulous and i lived for it.
I felt that each character was developed well, you knew who they were indivually and what they liked. I found the parents to be rather realistic but i will say when it came to the childrens narrative for me it didn’t seem to relate to their age, i feel it reads more as how an adult would think and not a child.
The little stories that were within the whole story kept my interested and i was intrigued to see how they all tied together. Even though i feel this book in places was a bit of a slow burn especially when it came to the generic parental stuff it did not take away from the eerie vibe of not knowing was round the corner or if you were even safe in your own home. It left you constantly guessing who is this Smileyface taunting the village of Pentyrch.
I did however have a incline towards the end but it did not dissapoint me or take away from the rest of the story. I enjoyed Lee’s work and will be keeping an eye out for anyway of his future books especially after learning he is a fellow Yorkshireman.
Thanks once again for sending me a proof copy of your book 🩵
🅐🅓/🅟🅡 🅟🅡🅞🅓🅤🅒🅣
Publishing 28th March 2025
First I would like to start off by saying a huge thankyou to @leecoatesauthor for sending me a proof copy of his latest novel - Smileyface and i well and truly enjoyed it.
The book is set in a small welsh village, early on we learn about the beauty that surrounds the village; but do not be fooled it is not as sweet and innocent as it may seem, there is definitely something lurking in the shadows hoping to make them smile 😊
Now lets just take a minute to just talk about the first chapter in this book 😲 it is truly terrifying and sets the tone of the book immediatley. It was just wow moment and i was hooked. The way Lee is able to create such gore in the certain chapters is just fabulous and i lived for it.
I felt that each character was developed well, you knew who they were indivually and what they liked. I found the parents to be rather realistic but i will say when it came to the childrens narrative for me it didn’t seem to relate to their age, i feel it reads more as how an adult would think and not a child.
The little stories that were within the whole story kept my interested and i was intrigued to see how they all tied together. Even though i feel this book in places was a bit of a slow burn especially when it came to the generic parental stuff it did not take away from the eerie vibe of not knowing was round the corner or if you were even safe in your own home. It left you constantly guessing who is this Smileyface taunting the village of Pentyrch.
I did however have a incline towards the end but it did not dissapoint me or take away from the rest of the story. I enjoyed Lee’s work and will be keeping an eye out for anyway of his future books especially after learning he is a fellow Yorkshireman.
Thanks once again for sending me a proof copy of your book 🩵
March 8, 2025
A Happy Reader ... Smiley Face would be satisfied!
This is the second book I have read by Lee Coates, like his first novel 'The Look', setting Smiley Face in the vicinity of Cardiff made it instantly that bit more relatable for me and for those eagle eyed readers there is also an Easter Egg related his first book.
Smiley Face is a horror thriller ... but its also a lot more than that, with well developed characters that represent the complexities of neighbourhood social groups, relationships within these and the insecurities we all possess. The structure of the narrative that switches between all the adult and child characters, is really good at giving the child voice an even pegging with that of the adults and also in reflecting the impacts of Covid and other life events on a child's perception of the world. Many interplays between characters in the chapters also highlight how often we are all guilty of talking and listening, but not actually communicating.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, as you should really make time to read this book ... but I can say that the motivation and identity of Smiley Face isn't known until a twist at the end, with his first early introduction reminding me of Pennywise and the fate that befalls Georgie in IT.
I'm half way through my second read through of the book, and picking up a lot of things I missed in my first read through...all I can say is give Lee's new book a try and you'll have discovered a new author to follow. I'm already looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
5 out of 5
This is the second book I have read by Lee Coates, like his first novel 'The Look', setting Smiley Face in the vicinity of Cardiff made it instantly that bit more relatable for me and for those eagle eyed readers there is also an Easter Egg related his first book.
Smiley Face is a horror thriller ... but its also a lot more than that, with well developed characters that represent the complexities of neighbourhood social groups, relationships within these and the insecurities we all possess. The structure of the narrative that switches between all the adult and child characters, is really good at giving the child voice an even pegging with that of the adults and also in reflecting the impacts of Covid and other life events on a child's perception of the world. Many interplays between characters in the chapters also highlight how often we are all guilty of talking and listening, but not actually communicating.
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, as you should really make time to read this book ... but I can say that the motivation and identity of Smiley Face isn't known until a twist at the end, with his first early introduction reminding me of Pennywise and the fate that befalls Georgie in IT.
I'm half way through my second read through of the book, and picking up a lot of things I missed in my first read through...all I can say is give Lee's new book a try and you'll have discovered a new author to follow. I'm already looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next.
5 out of 5
August 10, 2025
“Be happy or he’ll come to get you!”
Smileyface follows Simon who, after losing his wife to a tragic accident, tries to rebuild his life with his young son Dan in a peaceful village on the outskirts of Cardiff. But beneath the calm surface of their community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost.
Smileyface is a harrowing psychological thriller that grips you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go until the final page. Lee Coates masterfully weaves the story through multiple perspectives, interspersed with text message excerpts. The shift between adult and child viewpoints is seamless and brilliantly executed, deepening the unease with every chapter. Then the characters themselves are addictive to read - their relationships, interactions, and inner worlds adding layers of complexity to an already chilling plot.
The narrative driving Smileyface is a slow burn, packed full of terror and creating an infamy in the evil force behind the person so mission-oriented on making everyone smile. Lee’s writing is so vivid and unnerving that the image of that eerie grin lingers in your mind - not just while you’re reading, but long after you’ve closed the book. Laced with tension, twists and pure malevolence, Smileyface is ultimately a nightmare-fueled thriller ripped straight from a parent’s darkest fear.
Thank you so much to Lee Coates and The Book Guild for sending me this copy of Smileyface to read and review. My opinions are my own🙂🙂🙂
Smileyface follows Simon who, after losing his wife to a tragic accident, tries to rebuild his life with his young son Dan in a peaceful village on the outskirts of Cardiff. But beneath the calm surface of their community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost.
Smileyface is a harrowing psychological thriller that grips you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go until the final page. Lee Coates masterfully weaves the story through multiple perspectives, interspersed with text message excerpts. The shift between adult and child viewpoints is seamless and brilliantly executed, deepening the unease with every chapter. Then the characters themselves are addictive to read - their relationships, interactions, and inner worlds adding layers of complexity to an already chilling plot.
The narrative driving Smileyface is a slow burn, packed full of terror and creating an infamy in the evil force behind the person so mission-oriented on making everyone smile. Lee’s writing is so vivid and unnerving that the image of that eerie grin lingers in your mind - not just while you’re reading, but long after you’ve closed the book. Laced with tension, twists and pure malevolence, Smileyface is ultimately a nightmare-fueled thriller ripped straight from a parent’s darkest fear.
Thank you so much to Lee Coates and The Book Guild for sending me this copy of Smileyface to read and review. My opinions are my own🙂🙂🙂
April 10, 2025
Do not be taken in by the (almost) cute smile emoji on the front cover - this book is so creepy and had me on edge from start to finish!
I was completely hooked after the first chapter and knew that this was a book that I'd struggle to put down.
Psychological thrillers are my all time favourite genre and as much as I stress while reading them - I love that they make me feel something...and this book was no exception!
We follow the storyline over a relatively short timeline but we see events play out via the different character pov chapters.
This is a great format and worked so well here, allowing us to really dig into the minds of each of our main characters.
This does, however, cause issues for us when trying to work out whose version of events is misleading us and there were a fair few red herrings put in place to keep me guessing throughout.
I loved the writing style, which really created a great (spooky!) atmosphere right from the first few pages. This uncomfortable feeling continued and I was just waiting for the next thing to happen.
I don't really know South Wales very well, but this cosy, small community setting was the perfect place for our predator to strike.
I always imagine Wales to be an idyllic landscape, calm and serene, so to find such malice there was the perfect contrast!
This was a great read and it's made me excited to see what will come next from this author.
I was completely hooked after the first chapter and knew that this was a book that I'd struggle to put down.
Psychological thrillers are my all time favourite genre and as much as I stress while reading them - I love that they make me feel something...and this book was no exception!
We follow the storyline over a relatively short timeline but we see events play out via the different character pov chapters.
This is a great format and worked so well here, allowing us to really dig into the minds of each of our main characters.
This does, however, cause issues for us when trying to work out whose version of events is misleading us and there were a fair few red herrings put in place to keep me guessing throughout.
I loved the writing style, which really created a great (spooky!) atmosphere right from the first few pages. This uncomfortable feeling continued and I was just waiting for the next thing to happen.
I don't really know South Wales very well, but this cosy, small community setting was the perfect place for our predator to strike.
I always imagine Wales to be an idyllic landscape, calm and serene, so to find such malice there was the perfect contrast!
This was a great read and it's made me excited to see what will come next from this author.
January 29, 2025
This is a story of an everyday community experiencing something completely shocking that shakes them and their families to the core. Who is targeting the children in such a weird and unsettling way, and why?!
We get to know the characters in this story really well! They are rich and engaging and it is written so that different chapters are told from different characters points of view which I find always enriches the reading experience.
The tension that Lee has managed to cultivate in this book is insane, such clever writing! Whilst there are some incidents that take place, there is a lot of everyday happenings and yet the tension continuously ripples underneath the surface, keeping you on your toes and eager to read more!
There are some wonderful, strong, female characters in this who are battling personal anxieties alongside raising their families and being part of the wider community. This is a real life battle that many of us face and it was amazing to see it explored in this story.
I found this to be an enjoyable and satisfying read and would definitely recommend it as a gentle thriller with a few 'omg!' moments peppered throughout!
I was gifted this arc in exchange for an honest review.
We get to know the characters in this story really well! They are rich and engaging and it is written so that different chapters are told from different characters points of view which I find always enriches the reading experience.
The tension that Lee has managed to cultivate in this book is insane, such clever writing! Whilst there are some incidents that take place, there is a lot of everyday happenings and yet the tension continuously ripples underneath the surface, keeping you on your toes and eager to read more!
There are some wonderful, strong, female characters in this who are battling personal anxieties alongside raising their families and being part of the wider community. This is a real life battle that many of us face and it was amazing to see it explored in this story.
I found this to be an enjoyable and satisfying read and would definitely recommend it as a gentle thriller with a few 'omg!' moments peppered throughout!
I was gifted this arc in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2025
A year after losing his wife in a tragic accident during a family vacation in Madeira, Simon is trying to rebuild his life with his young son Dan in a peaceful village on the outskirts of Cardiff.
But beneath the calm surface of their new community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost
A slow burn book that sets off the premise from the start. A creepy, dark book with an evil character, covering grief and many challenges of family and parenting. Various POV which I love in a book. Excellent plot, very dark atmosphere, left you really thinking about who it could be.
Didn’t grab me as much as The Look but a great read overall
Thanks Lee for an early ARC copy. Released end of March
But beneath the calm surface of their new community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost
A slow burn book that sets off the premise from the start. A creepy, dark book with an evil character, covering grief and many challenges of family and parenting. Various POV which I love in a book. Excellent plot, very dark atmosphere, left you really thinking about who it could be.
Didn’t grab me as much as The Look but a great read overall
Thanks Lee for an early ARC copy. Released end of March
April 24, 2025
Smileyface is a psychological thriller that looks at the darkness lurking beneath quiet, rural life in a small village in Wales. Simon and his son Dan are pretty normal, and as life goes, they've had a hard time but are getting by ok.
We soon learn that a mysterious predator is targeting local children, and this is where the fun begins!
The writing is fast-paced, and he creates a sense of terror that just won't go away.
I found myself turning these pages quicker than I could read them, as I was hooked from the very first chapter.
The characterisations are good and realistic, and even the kids were written well. I'm not a massive fan of child characters, but these were believable.
Overall, it is a solid thriller that will keep you on your toes and that I'd fully recommend.
We soon learn that a mysterious predator is targeting local children, and this is where the fun begins!
The writing is fast-paced, and he creates a sense of terror that just won't go away.
I found myself turning these pages quicker than I could read them, as I was hooked from the very first chapter.
The characterisations are good and realistic, and even the kids were written well. I'm not a massive fan of child characters, but these were believable.
Overall, it is a solid thriller that will keep you on your toes and that I'd fully recommend.
March 11, 2025
The opening chapter had me HOOKED ! It was very creepy ! It set the toke perfectly for the whole book.
I enjoyed the different POV, and I loved the chapters from the children's POV. I liked how some of the chapters were from the same/similar time, just from a different perspective.
I really enjoyed the writing style and found the whole book to have an eerie sort of vibe.
The plot is very well done, and it has great character development. Red Herrings thrown in, too.
And although I did guess one of the main things. The bit after that had me shocked !
I enjoyed the different POV, and I loved the chapters from the children's POV. I liked how some of the chapters were from the same/similar time, just from a different perspective.
I really enjoyed the writing style and found the whole book to have an eerie sort of vibe.
The plot is very well done, and it has great character development. Red Herrings thrown in, too.
And although I did guess one of the main things. The bit after that had me shocked !
March 25, 2025
When you pick up a book and start reading and cannot stop you know it’s good!
That’s what this book did to me. Plus I don’t think I blinked for the first few chapters.
Super good, super creepy and eerie, but it was also really well written with a fantastic character driven plot. Very clever I loved it!
Did I know how it was going to end? Not in the slightest.
Not the first book I’ve read by @leecoatesauthor and I will definitely be looking out for more.
A psychological thriller not to be missed
Out on 28th March
Thank you @leecoatesauthor for a copy of this ebook ❤️
That’s what this book did to me. Plus I don’t think I blinked for the first few chapters.
Super good, super creepy and eerie, but it was also really well written with a fantastic character driven plot. Very clever I loved it!
Did I know how it was going to end? Not in the slightest.
Not the first book I’ve read by @leecoatesauthor and I will definitely be looking out for more.
A psychological thriller not to be missed
Out on 28th March
Thank you @leecoatesauthor for a copy of this ebook ❤️
February 4, 2025
A sinister predator is lurking in a peaceful village In Wales…
With great writing and a believable bunch of characters this trundles along at a good pace with a gathering sense of chilling foreboding.
This was a great ‘just one more chapter’ read with multiple points of view - I could not stop reading! Whilst being unsettling, it definitely turned my frown upside down!
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
With great writing and a believable bunch of characters this trundles along at a good pace with a gathering sense of chilling foreboding.
This was a great ‘just one more chapter’ read with multiple points of view - I could not stop reading! Whilst being unsettling, it definitely turned my frown upside down!
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
May 15, 2025
Wow! A real page turner from the impressive Lee Coates.
Lee is such a great story teller, loved how Smiley Face was told from different perspectives of the books characters. Enjoyed how he weaved local landmarks around the outskirts of Cardiff into the story, and I particularly enjoyed reading the encounter of the hair-raising Madeira sledge experience, having participated myself I can vouch for the very thrilling (and potentially dangerous) ride. A tense thriller, a must read.
Lee is such a great story teller, loved how Smiley Face was told from different perspectives of the books characters. Enjoyed how he weaved local landmarks around the outskirts of Cardiff into the story, and I particularly enjoyed reading the encounter of the hair-raising Madeira sledge experience, having participated myself I can vouch for the very thrilling (and potentially dangerous) ride. A tense thriller, a must read.
July 27, 2025
I dare any thriller verging on horror fan to read chapter 1 and not want to carry on this book..
My words after reading it were wtf have I just read.
It slows down after this as there’s a lot of characters in the village to get to know and explore before they are disturbed again. Some of them are not what they seem, which completely caught me off guard 👀.
My words after reading it were wtf have I just read.
It slows down after this as there’s a lot of characters in the village to get to know and explore before they are disturbed again. Some of them are not what they seem, which completely caught me off guard 👀.
March 23, 2025
Great read, did take a couple of chapters to get into the style of writing , but once I did I really enjoyed the creepy story… although it had a creepy feel; there is also another meaning to the story (what I felt anyway) in that you don’t always know what someone is hiding behind a smile.
June 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this and could definitely see it being made into a really creepy film!! Lee knows how to write suspense too - the scene with the sledge has me on edge!
September 5, 2025
I absolutely loved this. I really like my horror/thrillers to make me invest in the characters as well as have some genuinely creepy moments. This book doesn't disappoint at all.
The book follows a group of boys and their parents in a small village in Wales, as they navigate the ups and downs of parent WhatsApps groups, bday parties, inset days and school drop offs. This all makes it feel really realistic but thanks to the first chapter, (which is terrifying) there is a creepy and sinister tone that runs throughout the book and I was never sure when Smiley Face might appear or who he would target.
The chapters alternate between all of the characters points of view, it is important to keep track of what day it is at the start of each chapter as the same day is sometimes told through different points of view which I really liked and found very effective. I loved seeing the boys and their parents points of view of the same events.
It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting vulnerable children in the village and wants to make them smile, except he's willing to go to any lengths to make them smile and gets more and more unhinged in his mission.
The last few chapters left my jaw open and I was annoyed with myself I didn't see the clues as to who was responsible but it took me completely by surprise and I found the ending thrilling and satisfying.
If you enjoy slow burn, character focussed creepiness that has many layers and a brilliant story it's definitely worth picking this one up
The book follows a group of boys and their parents in a small village in Wales, as they navigate the ups and downs of parent WhatsApps groups, bday parties, inset days and school drop offs. This all makes it feel really realistic but thanks to the first chapter, (which is terrifying) there is a creepy and sinister tone that runs throughout the book and I was never sure when Smiley Face might appear or who he would target.
The chapters alternate between all of the characters points of view, it is important to keep track of what day it is at the start of each chapter as the same day is sometimes told through different points of view which I really liked and found very effective. I loved seeing the boys and their parents points of view of the same events.
It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting vulnerable children in the village and wants to make them smile, except he's willing to go to any lengths to make them smile and gets more and more unhinged in his mission.
The last few chapters left my jaw open and I was annoyed with myself I didn't see the clues as to who was responsible but it took me completely by surprise and I found the ending thrilling and satisfying.
If you enjoy slow burn, character focussed creepiness that has many layers and a brilliant story it's definitely worth picking this one up
March 7, 2025
📚 Book Review 📚
This is a creepy, psychological read which is set against the backdrop of a busy group of school friends, parents and WhatsApp groups.
Although this story is told from multiple pov’s you know exactly who is in focus at the time and the beautiful Welsh backdrop sets the tone of normality in the friendships and different relationships in the book. There is a real sense of community along with the usual blips in friendships and social interactions and I liked the majority of characters as I read about their lives. Some of the school mum and dad situations made me chuckle and others made me grimace!
This is a slow burner but the tension surrounding the creepy, frightening bogey man character is dark and scary and put me on edge. Very atmospheric and gave me a real sense of unease as I read through… 😃
Thank you very much for sending me your book Lee, I look forward to re add big the next one! 😊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a creepy, psychological read which is set against the backdrop of a busy group of school friends, parents and WhatsApp groups.
Although this story is told from multiple pov’s you know exactly who is in focus at the time and the beautiful Welsh backdrop sets the tone of normality in the friendships and different relationships in the book. There is a real sense of community along with the usual blips in friendships and social interactions and I liked the majority of characters as I read about their lives. Some of the school mum and dad situations made me chuckle and others made me grimace!
This is a slow burner but the tension surrounding the creepy, frightening bogey man character is dark and scary and put me on edge. Very atmospheric and gave me a real sense of unease as I read through… 😃
Thank you very much for sending me your book Lee, I look forward to re add big the next one! 😊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 22, 2025
I quite enjoyed reading this book, though it is fairly slow paced but it started to pick up half way through the book. There were multiple POVs and I do like a book with different perspectives but I feel as if this book introduced too many characters and for me it was sometimes hard to follow along and know who was who (maybe it’s just my goldfish brain 😅) however I found it cool to grasp what everyone was going through at the time of event and even with the same scene being told, it lets us readers see it from different set of eyes. I quite like the touch of the parents group chat in the book as it gives it more of a realistic situation, as if I’m actually in amongst the chat with them 😂
Despite all this, the author still delivered a very creepy and disturbing vibe with his style of writing and I can’t wait to see what Lee will bring to the table in the future 🙂
Despite all this, the author still delivered a very creepy and disturbing vibe with his style of writing and I can’t wait to see what Lee will bring to the table in the future 🙂
March 1, 2025
This is a very dark, unnerving book that had me wondering up until the last few chapters. So cleverly written, there is nothing else out there that I can compare it to (and I have read a lot of books). Like Coates' debut, The Look, it is hard to put Smileyface into a particular genre. Horror, thriller, real-life... it has it all. Characters are written so well I felt like I lived in the village along with them by the end. Had me gripped and thinking all the way through - loved it!
December 17, 2025
Atmospheric and edgy, Lee Coates is an expert at building tension & bringing South Wales to life. You will be hooked from the opening chapter and if you enjoy getting to know characters well, you will love this multi- perspective style. The author is observant and able to spin stories which are so detailed, it feels real. Creepy, chilling and twisty.
May 20, 2025
📚 Book Review 📚
Smileyface by @leecoatesauthor 🙂
“Be happy or he’ll come to get you!”
We’re introduced to a close knit group of school friends and their parents living in a small village in Wales, all trying to survive their busy schedules and a sinister presence preying on the young and innocent.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but Coates has crafted a perfectly executed novel seeped in fear and tension.
This is the second book I’ve read by Lee Coates, and like his debut novel, The Look, he has developed an abundance of engaging characters. With each chapter being told from different characters POVs, we really comprehend their personal complexities, relationships with one another, and the impact of social groups. The added touch of chapters being told from adult and child perspectives was thoroughly engaging and worked very well.
Smileyface is an atmospheric slow burn, falling into the category of horror/thriller that features a malevolent force quite similar to the way Pennywise is portrayed in IT. Some of the scenes were terrifying and I can still picture that unsettling smile now… especially when I’m waking up during the night! 😂
If you are looking for a well plotted thriller with red herrings and equitable twists, then this is definitely the book for you. Lee, I can’t wait to see where your writing career goes and what you have planned for book three.
A huge thank you to @leecoatesauthor and @thebookguildpublishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Smileyface releases on 28th March 2025! 🙂
Smileyface by @leecoatesauthor 🙂
“Be happy or he’ll come to get you!”
We’re introduced to a close knit group of school friends and their parents living in a small village in Wales, all trying to survive their busy schedules and a sinister presence preying on the young and innocent.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but Coates has crafted a perfectly executed novel seeped in fear and tension.
This is the second book I’ve read by Lee Coates, and like his debut novel, The Look, he has developed an abundance of engaging characters. With each chapter being told from different characters POVs, we really comprehend their personal complexities, relationships with one another, and the impact of social groups. The added touch of chapters being told from adult and child perspectives was thoroughly engaging and worked very well.
Smileyface is an atmospheric slow burn, falling into the category of horror/thriller that features a malevolent force quite similar to the way Pennywise is portrayed in IT. Some of the scenes were terrifying and I can still picture that unsettling smile now… especially when I’m waking up during the night! 😂
If you are looking for a well plotted thriller with red herrings and equitable twists, then this is definitely the book for you. Lee, I can’t wait to see where your writing career goes and what you have planned for book three.
A huge thank you to @leecoatesauthor and @thebookguildpublishing for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Smileyface releases on 28th March 2025! 🙂
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