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Underneath
LAUREN LAWLER’s life is visually perfect. However husband Niall seems to have forgotten she exists. Running a Vintage shop on Ebay and meeting her best friend Monique for coffee and shopping, Lauren feels settled but bored. Collecting her nine year old son Joe from school one day, she discovers that the new mum at the gates is her old school foe Bettina.
Lauren is initially wary, but encouraged by Niall, attempts to be friendly, getting involved with the school’s summer fair so that Bettina can meet other parents. This throws Lauren into working with Seb, an outwardly nerdy looking teacher who turns out to be a hidden attraction. As Niall continues to be distant, Seb’s attentions become ever more tempting.
Bettina says she is back escaping a violent husband, but best friend Monique doesn’t buy it and warns Lauren to be careful.
As a vendetta threatens everything Lauren has taken for granted, she has to discover who she can trust. But how much does anyone ever really know about those around them, what’s underneath?
Lauren is initially wary, but encouraged by Niall, attempts to be friendly, getting involved with the school’s summer fair so that Bettina can meet other parents. This throws Lauren into working with Seb, an outwardly nerdy looking teacher who turns out to be a hidden attraction. As Niall continues to be distant, Seb’s attentions become ever more tempting.
Bettina says she is back escaping a violent husband, but best friend Monique doesn’t buy it and warns Lauren to be careful.
As a vendetta threatens everything Lauren has taken for granted, she has to discover who she can trust. But how much does anyone ever really know about those around them, what’s underneath?
Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2014
754 people are currently reading
1224 people want to read
About the author
Andie M. Long
110 books1,080 followersAndie M. Long is the author of multiple titles including the popular Supernatural Dating Agency series.
When not writing, or editing for other authors, she spends her time drinking coffee and eating far too many Toblerones. She adores her whippet, Bella, and is tormented frequently by her OH and her teenage son.
She adores the book community, chatting with likeminded people who don't roll their eyes when she talks books, unlike the OH and teenage son...
Sign up to Andie's weekly newsletter here: http://www.subscribepage.com/f8v2u5 and get a FREE copy of DATING SUCKS. The short story prequel to The Vampire wants a Wife - EXCLUSIVE to subscribers.
When not writing, or editing for other authors, she spends her time drinking coffee and eating far too many Toblerones. She adores her whippet, Bella, and is tormented frequently by her OH and her teenage son.
She adores the book community, chatting with likeminded people who don't roll their eyes when she talks books, unlike the OH and teenage son...
Sign up to Andie's weekly newsletter here: http://www.subscribepage.com/f8v2u5 and get a FREE copy of DATING SUCKS. The short story prequel to The Vampire wants a Wife - EXCLUSIVE to subscribers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
January 17, 2018
Gosh, I'm not sure where to start with this. Just finished it this morning. I've spent the last couple of days feeling a bit like someone shoved me in the washing machine, spun me around a lot, then dumped me in a washed out soggy pile on the floor. This novel has had my thoughts and emotions going all over the place!
I've found this book seeping into my own life throughout the day, while I was meant to be working. Tempting my mind to try and work out who to trust and what's going to happen next. Once I got about 75% of the way through, I was reaching the stage of I can't take this anymore ...Someone please just tell me how the book ends, before I explode!
This is a very well thought out story, covering a number of topics that I feel most readers will be able to relate to. It covers the ups and downs of marriage, motherhood, friendship, affairs, family, work and social life, all of which I think is well balanced throughout the book.
The majority of characters are well-developed. Some characters were easier to love than others. I found I related to Lauren very early on. Luckily, not in relation to her unsupportive and unaffectionate husband, although very much so in terms of eBay. It has been my job for the last decade, so I could relate to the end of September rush (not sure I really have time to be leaving this review right now, to be honest, lol), and the horror of receiving negative feedback. It reminded me of receiving my very first negative feedback many years ago, and me actually bursting into tears. Luckily I've toughened up over the years, and I'm stronger at dealing with scary customers.
I may also have fallen slightly for Seb. The whole geekiness, Clark Kent thing did it for me, although he would need to be a few inches shorter for my tastes (I was referring to his height of course, tut, tut).
I loved that all the characters had very different personalities. It made the story more diverse and believable. It was also quite witty in parts, making me giggle at the whole 'lomon squash' and 'Lo-Is and Super Seb' conversations. There I was happily getting to know each of the characters, making slight personal judgements along the way. Then suddenly going from not trusting a particular character, to only trusting one character. It was at this stage that the panic and paranoia set in, and didn't release its grip of me until the very end.
I'm trying my best not to give much away, so I'll just say OH MY GOODNESS. I want to feel calm, but I'm left feeling somewhat on edge!
I've found this book seeping into my own life throughout the day, while I was meant to be working. Tempting my mind to try and work out who to trust and what's going to happen next. Once I got about 75% of the way through, I was reaching the stage of I can't take this anymore ...Someone please just tell me how the book ends, before I explode!
This is a very well thought out story, covering a number of topics that I feel most readers will be able to relate to. It covers the ups and downs of marriage, motherhood, friendship, affairs, family, work and social life, all of which I think is well balanced throughout the book.
The majority of characters are well-developed. Some characters were easier to love than others. I found I related to Lauren very early on. Luckily, not in relation to her unsupportive and unaffectionate husband, although very much so in terms of eBay. It has been my job for the last decade, so I could relate to the end of September rush (not sure I really have time to be leaving this review right now, to be honest, lol), and the horror of receiving negative feedback. It reminded me of receiving my very first negative feedback many years ago, and me actually bursting into tears. Luckily I've toughened up over the years, and I'm stronger at dealing with scary customers.
I may also have fallen slightly for Seb. The whole geekiness, Clark Kent thing did it for me, although he would need to be a few inches shorter for my tastes (I was referring to his height of course, tut, tut).
I loved that all the characters had very different personalities. It made the story more diverse and believable. It was also quite witty in parts, making me giggle at the whole 'lomon squash' and 'Lo-Is and Super Seb' conversations. There I was happily getting to know each of the characters, making slight personal judgements along the way. Then suddenly going from not trusting a particular character, to only trusting one character. It was at this stage that the panic and paranoia set in, and didn't release its grip of me until the very end.
I'm trying my best not to give much away, so I'll just say OH MY GOODNESS. I want to feel calm, but I'm left feeling somewhat on edge!
November 11, 2014
If you follow my reviews, or are in my Facebook group then you already know!
This book had me going insane!! I was flipping out! Cursing and threatening the characters! UGH I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!
Underneath is different, not like Andie's previous work The Alphabet Game. The Complete Alpha Series: A to X, Y, Z. (which I LOVED FYI) It doesn't have a lot of the erotic moments you may be expecting...why you ask ..
Theres just so much going on. You won't be worried about where the sex is you'll be wondering WHAT THE FUCK is going on.
I did a lot of....
I wasn't sure what to expect... Stay at home mom, has a pretty laid back existence. A husband that can be kind of a douche but you know he loves her, and a son you know they both care for. Well that's a typical story right...
Add an old classmate that is ...well...a very odd bitch and some crazy things start happening.
Lauren Lawler's laid back life is anything but now!
Underneath was so well written and kept me guessing till the very end. I could totally relate to Lauren which of course had me rooting for her every step of the way.
I wish I could sit and have coffee with you and rave about how great this book is, but we can't. And I feel like anything I tell you will ruin the whirlwind this book is meant to capture you in. Just know that WOW, and WTF will be used often!
ENJOY!
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Just Another Book Bitch on Facebook
This book had me going insane!! I was flipping out! Cursing and threatening the characters! UGH I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!
Underneath is different, not like Andie's previous work The Alphabet Game. The Complete Alpha Series: A to X, Y, Z. (which I LOVED FYI) It doesn't have a lot of the erotic moments you may be expecting...why you ask ..
Theres just so much going on. You won't be worried about where the sex is you'll be wondering WHAT THE FUCK is going on.
I did a lot of....
I wasn't sure what to expect... Stay at home mom, has a pretty laid back existence. A husband that can be kind of a douche but you know he loves her, and a son you know they both care for. Well that's a typical story right...
Add an old classmate that is ...well...a very odd bitch and some crazy things start happening.
Lauren Lawler's laid back life is anything but now!
Underneath was so well written and kept me guessing till the very end. I could totally relate to Lauren which of course had me rooting for her every step of the way.
I wish I could sit and have coffee with you and rave about how great this book is, but we can't. And I feel like anything I tell you will ruin the whirlwind this book is meant to capture you in. Just know that WOW, and WTF will be used often!
ENJOY!
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Just Another Book Bitch on Facebook
November 23, 2016
Blimey, up to page 35 and already there were 9 mistakes and I'm in no way prepared to wade through a further 300 in that mess....not a hope !!
She's hopeless with both apostrophes and commas in that she either puts them where they're not supposed to be or drops them altogether. She also uses capital letters really randomly and mostly needlessly.
Doctors should be doctor's, Medical Student doesn't need capital letters and neither does Head Teacher, although further on she writes Head teacher..and Love didn't warrant one, either. "You're worrying over nothing Lauren" needs a comma as does "A whisky with ice then please".
"Now called Bettina" needed a hyphen for a bit of variation, she dropped it from '...housework can stuff for the day as well' and lastly for me "The husbands' would all be skint" popped up and I closed it down.
If an author can't get to grips with basic punctuation and her editor or all her pals she thanked for reading it didn't spot this lot, then I despair. I've nothing really to say about the story as I was sadly otherwise engaged and totally distracted.
She's hopeless with both apostrophes and commas in that she either puts them where they're not supposed to be or drops them altogether. She also uses capital letters really randomly and mostly needlessly.
Doctors should be doctor's, Medical Student doesn't need capital letters and neither does Head Teacher, although further on she writes Head teacher..and Love didn't warrant one, either. "You're worrying over nothing Lauren" needs a comma as does "A whisky with ice then please".
"Now called Bettina" needed a hyphen for a bit of variation, she dropped it from '...housework can stuff for the day as well' and lastly for me "The husbands' would all be skint" popped up and I closed it down.
If an author can't get to grips with basic punctuation and her editor or all her pals she thanked for reading it didn't spot this lot, then I despair. I've nothing really to say about the story as I was sadly otherwise engaged and totally distracted.
January 8, 2017
Favorite Quotes:
I retreat to Facebook, but there’s limited solace found in what people I’ve never met have eaten that evening.
On go a pair of hold ups with a lacy trim and some black stilettos with a pink sole, ‘Car to Bar’ shoes that I’ve never actually worn because I can hardly balance in them. I bought them because they were pretty and on sale. Looking at them makes me happy. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve been known to stroke my shoes.
She says I attract chaos like Uri Gellar bends spoons, it’s a phenomenon.
Is that a small carrier bag, or the Tardis? … It’s like that bag Hermione had in Harry Potter, where she could reach in it over and over and get out whatever they needed.
I push back the duvet revealing the black DKNY top and J. Crew trousers, chosen so I look hot if arrested. I imagined Monique’s voice should I face the police dressed in Value jeans and so assembled an ‘attractive assassin’ combo.
My Review:
I absolutely revere Andie M. Long’s wry and wily sense of humor. When I nestled into my favorite chair and began her ingeniously plotted Underneath, I thought I was reading a romantic comedy, until the plot thickened and several cunningly twisted yet still comically clever threads emerged and began to weave into an intriguing and slyly crafted mystery. The writing was fun, lively, relevant, engrossing, unpredictable, and highly amusing with oddly endearing characters, and an active and eventful storyline. I was thoroughly engaged and hopelessly addicted from page one. I am currently struggling with a strong yen to stop time and read every story this talented scribe has ever written while falling at her feet in total fangirl idolization. However, I guess I must appease my longings by zealously following her publications and extolling her deft word-craft and wickedly amusing and quirky genius to anyone who will listen.
I retreat to Facebook, but there’s limited solace found in what people I’ve never met have eaten that evening.
On go a pair of hold ups with a lacy trim and some black stilettos with a pink sole, ‘Car to Bar’ shoes that I’ve never actually worn because I can hardly balance in them. I bought them because they were pretty and on sale. Looking at them makes me happy. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve been known to stroke my shoes.
She says I attract chaos like Uri Gellar bends spoons, it’s a phenomenon.
Is that a small carrier bag, or the Tardis? … It’s like that bag Hermione had in Harry Potter, where she could reach in it over and over and get out whatever they needed.
I push back the duvet revealing the black DKNY top and J. Crew trousers, chosen so I look hot if arrested. I imagined Monique’s voice should I face the police dressed in Value jeans and so assembled an ‘attractive assassin’ combo.
My Review:
I absolutely revere Andie M. Long’s wry and wily sense of humor. When I nestled into my favorite chair and began her ingeniously plotted Underneath, I thought I was reading a romantic comedy, until the plot thickened and several cunningly twisted yet still comically clever threads emerged and began to weave into an intriguing and slyly crafted mystery. The writing was fun, lively, relevant, engrossing, unpredictable, and highly amusing with oddly endearing characters, and an active and eventful storyline. I was thoroughly engaged and hopelessly addicted from page one. I am currently struggling with a strong yen to stop time and read every story this talented scribe has ever written while falling at her feet in total fangirl idolization. However, I guess I must appease my longings by zealously following her publications and extolling her deft word-craft and wickedly amusing and quirky genius to anyone who will listen.
March 10, 2015
I don’t know where to start with reviewing this book!! I devoured it in one sitting. It was one of those books that got me thinking all the way through it.
Would Lauren succumb to the charms of nerdy teacher, but secret stud, Seb? Would Niall be bowled over by the mysterious Bettina? Would Monique batter Bettina?! Who is behind the vendetta to ruin Lauren? What the hell is wrong with Niall, not to want to have a bit of rumpy pumpy with his wife?
I did have to laugh when Lauren tried to spice up the bedroom! I swore Niall must have been having an affair or something to turn down sex on a plate, and her all wrapped up so nicely!
It was a whodunit with a modern twist. Andie has a knack for drawing me into her books. Her characters are top class…everyone very different. I had my favourite and I had an idea in my head who I wanted to go off with who. That’s the skill of a good author, to make me feel part of the character’s lives. There was the villain. There was the one I rooted for.
I love the way Andie can weave her words on a page. She knows how much description to add to enable you to picture the scenes and the people, but she never goes overboard. The school mams at the gate at pick up time could have been a scene from any school up and down the country! You get the ones that are in their jim jams and you also get the ones who can have a full face on at 8 o’clock in the morning! I felt I was watching the playground "incident"!
It’s very difficult to write a review without being a spoiler moiler and I’m doing my best to try not to give anything away! I hope I have been vague!!
Andie, you are a lovely person (and a bit of a babe!) and you deserve every success with this book because it really is a 5* read.
Would Lauren succumb to the charms of nerdy teacher, but secret stud, Seb? Would Niall be bowled over by the mysterious Bettina? Would Monique batter Bettina?! Who is behind the vendetta to ruin Lauren? What the hell is wrong with Niall, not to want to have a bit of rumpy pumpy with his wife?
I did have to laugh when Lauren tried to spice up the bedroom! I swore Niall must have been having an affair or something to turn down sex on a plate, and her all wrapped up so nicely!
It was a whodunit with a modern twist. Andie has a knack for drawing me into her books. Her characters are top class…everyone very different. I had my favourite and I had an idea in my head who I wanted to go off with who. That’s the skill of a good author, to make me feel part of the character’s lives. There was the villain. There was the one I rooted for.
I love the way Andie can weave her words on a page. She knows how much description to add to enable you to picture the scenes and the people, but she never goes overboard. The school mams at the gate at pick up time could have been a scene from any school up and down the country! You get the ones that are in their jim jams and you also get the ones who can have a full face on at 8 o’clock in the morning! I felt I was watching the playground "incident"!
It’s very difficult to write a review without being a spoiler moiler and I’m doing my best to try not to give anything away! I hope I have been vague!!
Andie, you are a lovely person (and a bit of a babe!) and you deserve every success with this book because it really is a 5* read.
September 14, 2015
4 Not what I expected stars.
It was definitely a riveting read that had me on the edge of my seat until the last page. It was almost like a game of clue trying to figure out who everyone really was and what they had been responsible for.
I am having a difficult time with writing this review because I don't want to give too much away because that would take away from the story. So I'm just going to say this, if you like a good suspense to keep you flying through the pages I would definitely recommend this book.
It was definitely a riveting read that had me on the edge of my seat until the last page. It was almost like a game of clue trying to figure out who everyone really was and what they had been responsible for.
I am having a difficult time with writing this review because I don't want to give too much away because that would take away from the story. So I'm just going to say this, if you like a good suspense to keep you flying through the pages I would definitely recommend this book.
October 1, 2014
wow,,,,,,,In this book the saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" really if fitting. You think you know someone you think they can be trusted with yours or your families life but how wrong can you be !!!!
Amazing twist in this book and just when you think you know who the one behind all of the things happening in Laurens life booooooooom you are proven wrong !!!
Loved it yet another amazing book by an amazing author !!
Amazing twist in this book and just when you think you know who the one behind all of the things happening in Laurens life booooooooom you are proven wrong !!!
Loved it yet another amazing book by an amazing author !!
September 30, 2014
Underneath felt to me like a piece of great British history. It makes a refreshing change reading a book from my home country therefore I enjoyed all the familiar sounding places. I pictured in my mind exactly where she was, be it at the cinema, the shopping mall or sitting in a cosy coffee shop. This all added to my reading experience and put a smile on my face.
The characters were well thought out and they could have been anyone standing at my own local school gates. The descriptions were excellent, even down to the crazy mums parking on double yellow lines at the school. This brought back memories and made me chuckle. I chuckled often throughout this novel, not because it was funny but because I related and laughed out loud at the realisms. Any thirty something stay at home mum is going to relate to this story in some way. Any woman who tells the truth about her relationship with her husband will relate to this story. Boredom, marriage problems, sexual frustrations; Is the grass greener? Temptations, flirtations, guilt and succumbing to ones needs. Most of us have been in this situation at some point in our married lives. Not all will admit it!
This was a suspenseful mystery with lots of twists and turns but an easy read that flowed nicely, I liked the authors style and it was very well written. I will be honest and say I skimmed at times in areas that didn't hold my interest, mainly descriptions of the vintage clothing but the skimming was few and far between and that's because my tastes in reading tend to be a very dark. However there were some quite dark incidents in the final third which I believe pulled the story together well.
Once again I feel the need to voice my feelings on how the book visualised in front of me as I read. I had a clear picture of all the characters in my head which I praise the author highly for. I could imagine myself doing the exact same things as the female lead, from getting very drunk to blow off steam and painting my toe nails black to depict my mood. There were lots of little things I picked up on that made the scenario stand out. I liked the epilogue a lot, it tied it all together and there was a certain part that made me chill, once again I'd have done the same in that situation.
I'd describe this as good British authentic chic lit with a twist.
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The characters were well thought out and they could have been anyone standing at my own local school gates. The descriptions were excellent, even down to the crazy mums parking on double yellow lines at the school. This brought back memories and made me chuckle. I chuckled often throughout this novel, not because it was funny but because I related and laughed out loud at the realisms. Any thirty something stay at home mum is going to relate to this story in some way. Any woman who tells the truth about her relationship with her husband will relate to this story. Boredom, marriage problems, sexual frustrations; Is the grass greener? Temptations, flirtations, guilt and succumbing to ones needs. Most of us have been in this situation at some point in our married lives. Not all will admit it!
This was a suspenseful mystery with lots of twists and turns but an easy read that flowed nicely, I liked the authors style and it was very well written. I will be honest and say I skimmed at times in areas that didn't hold my interest, mainly descriptions of the vintage clothing but the skimming was few and far between and that's because my tastes in reading tend to be a very dark. However there were some quite dark incidents in the final third which I believe pulled the story together well.
Once again I feel the need to voice my feelings on how the book visualised in front of me as I read. I had a clear picture of all the characters in my head which I praise the author highly for. I could imagine myself doing the exact same things as the female lead, from getting very drunk to blow off steam and painting my toe nails black to depict my mood. There were lots of little things I picked up on that made the scenario stand out. I liked the epilogue a lot, it tied it all together and there was a certain part that made me chill, once again I'd have done the same in that situation.
I'd describe this as good British authentic chic lit with a twist.
Like me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kelseyskorne...
Check out my Website http://kelseyskornerblog.com/
Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kelseys_korner
October 11, 2014
Well if you’re expecting a smexy read from the pen of Andie you won’t be disappointed but not only will you get a smexy read you’re gonna get a whole bucket load more.
Crikey I wish my co-reviewer had warned me that I wasn’t about to sit and read some generic Adult Contemporary romance and that in fact I was going to be reading a book choc full of great characters, sexy schmexy indeedy AND a tad thrillerish as well!
Bravo! Bloody hell this book is good! Do you want to get into the heads of some everyday British people? Do you want to be a bit swooned? Do you want to be a bit peed off with characters? Do you want to be a bit naffed off with things that you can’t set straight coz you’re reading it? Then hell yeah you need to read this book! And sooner rather than later!
The characters are brilliantly brought to life, I wanted to smack a fair few including Niall, Bettina and Monique! I loved Niall’s parents! I loved Joe and his complete 9 year old understanding ways of the world. I loved Seb and his hidden talent – wink.
So if you want to come visit with the British, have fun with our lingo, feel a bit hot under the collar and between your legs then come on and read Underneath! I would wholeheartedly recommend this to all and sundry, it’s very, very well written and brought to life.
Crikey I wish my co-reviewer had warned me that I wasn’t about to sit and read some generic Adult Contemporary romance and that in fact I was going to be reading a book choc full of great characters, sexy schmexy indeedy AND a tad thrillerish as well!
Bravo! Bloody hell this book is good! Do you want to get into the heads of some everyday British people? Do you want to be a bit swooned? Do you want to be a bit peed off with characters? Do you want to be a bit naffed off with things that you can’t set straight coz you’re reading it? Then hell yeah you need to read this book! And sooner rather than later!
The characters are brilliantly brought to life, I wanted to smack a fair few including Niall, Bettina and Monique! I loved Niall’s parents! I loved Joe and his complete 9 year old understanding ways of the world. I loved Seb and his hidden talent – wink.
So if you want to come visit with the British, have fun with our lingo, feel a bit hot under the collar and between your legs then come on and read Underneath! I would wholeheartedly recommend this to all and sundry, it’s very, very well written and brought to life.
September 29, 2014
*** ARC received on behalf of the author for an honest review ***
Meet Lauren. Married to Niall and one son, Joe. Life is good for Lauren, being a stay at home mum to Joe and running a little business from home selling vintage items on eBay.
Her marriage to Niall is like any marriage, pretty solid, but not free from issues.
Her best friend Monique, who Lauren has known for five years is her rock. The one person she can turn too when she needs a friendly ear. Your typical best friend relationship.
Now introduce Bettina. An old school friend of Lauren’s.
Recently breaking it off with her husband, Bettina returns to her home town with her son Tyler. Remembering Lauren from years passed, she catches up with her at a school pick up.
Lauren’s world will no longer be the same.
Introduce death threats, a sexy school teacher, malicious damage, manslaughter and a kidnapping, what will become of Lauren? What will become of life as she once knows it? Who can she turn too? Who can she trust?
Underneath was a good read, but for us it was a little slow going. At times it was a little hard to keep our interest, but we are glad we kept at it because the ending was brilliant.
We recommend Underneath on our TBR list and give it 6 out of 10.
Meet Lauren. Married to Niall and one son, Joe. Life is good for Lauren, being a stay at home mum to Joe and running a little business from home selling vintage items on eBay.
Her marriage to Niall is like any marriage, pretty solid, but not free from issues.
Her best friend Monique, who Lauren has known for five years is her rock. The one person she can turn too when she needs a friendly ear. Your typical best friend relationship.
Now introduce Bettina. An old school friend of Lauren’s.
Recently breaking it off with her husband, Bettina returns to her home town with her son Tyler. Remembering Lauren from years passed, she catches up with her at a school pick up.
Lauren’s world will no longer be the same.
Introduce death threats, a sexy school teacher, malicious damage, manslaughter and a kidnapping, what will become of Lauren? What will become of life as she once knows it? Who can she turn too? Who can she trust?
Underneath was a good read, but for us it was a little slow going. At times it was a little hard to keep our interest, but we are glad we kept at it because the ending was brilliant.
We recommend Underneath on our TBR list and give it 6 out of 10.
March 17, 2015
3.5+*
I won an arc of this book back in December, and finally got around to finishing it. I started it but wasn't hooked right away...I'm not a mother and I didn't have any school drama so it didn't resonate with me at first. But I'm glad I stuck with it, as it was not what I was expecting!
This book is full of twists and turns, friends and enemies...who is who and what is what?!?
Lauren is a mother, housewife, entrepenuer, whose life gets thrown for a major loop when an old highschool nemesis moves to town, causing strife with her best friend, and a undercover hunk of a teacher joins the fray, making Lauren question her marriage.
Things are so not what they seem in this book...it will keep you guessing for sure. It's completely different from Andie M Long first serial I read, The Alphabet Game the Complete Alpha Series A to X, Y, Z. This book is full of mystery and suspense, and will make you think.
I won an arc of this book back in December, and finally got around to finishing it. I started it but wasn't hooked right away...I'm not a mother and I didn't have any school drama so it didn't resonate with me at first. But I'm glad I stuck with it, as it was not what I was expecting!
This book is full of twists and turns, friends and enemies...who is who and what is what?!?
Lauren is a mother, housewife, entrepenuer, whose life gets thrown for a major loop when an old highschool nemesis moves to town, causing strife with her best friend, and a undercover hunk of a teacher joins the fray, making Lauren question her marriage.
Things are so not what they seem in this book...it will keep you guessing for sure. It's completely different from Andie M Long first serial I read, The Alphabet Game the Complete Alpha Series A to X, Y, Z. This book is full of mystery and suspense, and will make you think.
December 31, 2015
I absolutely loved this book with its many twists and turns. It definitely appealed to me due to the mystery within its pages, as well as the adult themes involved.
Lauren has the ideal life, good friends, a job she loves. But her home life isn't perfect. She feels ignored by her husband regardless of trying to spice things up a little.
Finding herself attracted to another man Lauren tries to deny the feelings she has, and she confides in her best friend. Around this time she also reconnects with someone she knew from her school days. That is the start of her problems.
From that moment on her life spirals out of control, far more than you can possibly imagine. I actually guessed the punchline just before the author revealed it, but even then I was surprised at quite how deep everything becomes near the end.
A brilliant story from this author, and I hope she writes something similar in the future.
September 7, 2015
Oh wow. What an absolutely brilliant thought out story. Lauren is married to Niall and have a son Joe. It revolves around her and her friends, new and old. Life's ups and downs. A plot so intriguing and involved, it draws you in like a spider in a Web. As for sexy Seb, the geeky teacher, phew, I will have him any day. A story about him would be good. This is one fantastic read and has to be read to appreciate all the plots and twists. So enjoyed it.
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July 15, 2020
I’m kicking myself for not reading this book before! If you like twisty suspense stories this is the book for you!
I love Dark Andie! Five stars!
I love Dark Andie! Five stars!
March 11, 2021
Amazing! 🙌🏽💛🎉
February 3, 2022
Fabulously twisty and turny.
I worked out the who, but the why evaded me.
Loved it.
I worked out the who, but the why evaded me.
Loved it.
May 28, 2020
Everything about this story is recycled and stale. How do these books keep getting published?? The villain was super obvious as it's been a regular cliche in a zillion stories. I was waiting for perhaps a big twist at the end, but nope. Super cheesy, trite, stale. Nothing more to say.
September 30, 2014
*****Review for Passionate Page Turner*******
Arc received for an honest review
What I enjoyed about this book is how relatable the characters were. The story is set in England and the main female character could be true of any 30 something stay at home mum with a bit too much time on her hands. Having time to go and catch up with friends, have a gossip and shop and be back in time to pick your child up from school and cook dinner. Lauren wasn't a domestic goddess and had times where she settled for a takeaway dinner over something home cooked. She had it all right in front of her but could not see how lucky she was.
When someone she knows from school comes back to town and tries to befriend Lauren she is suspicious, especially after Bettina' s ex shows up and tells stories of how crazy Bettina is. Lauren' s husband tries to encourage the friendship and in making an effort they both offer to help at their sons school. It's here that Lauren meets sexy Seb, her son's school teacher, feeling bored and unappreciated in her marriage Lauren strikes up a friendship with Seb. Then threats start to pour in that threaten to ruin everything that she has.
This was very much a whodunit? type of book, is it the ex school friend, the friends ex, the husband or sexy school teacher? At one point I even questioned if Lauren was going out of her mind and making it all up to get attention because she was bored.
The story flowed well and was full of suspense, mystery and plot twists. There are laughs and moments where you really feel sorry for Lauren and her friends. I honestly had no idea of who was threatening Lauren till the end of the story and then I was in complete shock.
This story is unlike the authors previous work and it was a refreshing to read. It demonstrates just how adaptable she is as a writer, I can't wait to read what she comes up with next.
Arc received for an honest review
What I enjoyed about this book is how relatable the characters were. The story is set in England and the main female character could be true of any 30 something stay at home mum with a bit too much time on her hands. Having time to go and catch up with friends, have a gossip and shop and be back in time to pick your child up from school and cook dinner. Lauren wasn't a domestic goddess and had times where she settled for a takeaway dinner over something home cooked. She had it all right in front of her but could not see how lucky she was.
When someone she knows from school comes back to town and tries to befriend Lauren she is suspicious, especially after Bettina' s ex shows up and tells stories of how crazy Bettina is. Lauren' s husband tries to encourage the friendship and in making an effort they both offer to help at their sons school. It's here that Lauren meets sexy Seb, her son's school teacher, feeling bored and unappreciated in her marriage Lauren strikes up a friendship with Seb. Then threats start to pour in that threaten to ruin everything that she has.
This was very much a whodunit? type of book, is it the ex school friend, the friends ex, the husband or sexy school teacher? At one point I even questioned if Lauren was going out of her mind and making it all up to get attention because she was bored.
The story flowed well and was full of suspense, mystery and plot twists. There are laughs and moments where you really feel sorry for Lauren and her friends. I honestly had no idea of who was threatening Lauren till the end of the story and then I was in complete shock.
This story is unlike the authors previous work and it was a refreshing to read. It demonstrates just how adaptable she is as a writer, I can't wait to read what she comes up with next.
September 30, 2014
Full of suspense and action, just the way I like it and you still get the trademark Andie M Long curveballs thrown in to keep you off balance. I loved this book as there was plenty of time to build up to the trigger point and plenty of time to explore the mundane nature of family life. It is a slow burner but I loved this element of it. It gave Andie M Long the opportunity to fully show her writing prowess.
The routine of family life can at times seem mundane and this is certainly the case for Lauren Lawler. Feeling bored with life and somewhat neglected by her husband, she is getting through each day a day at a time by doing the school run, meeting her best friend Monique and running her own ebay business. When she meets a new mum at the school gate, Bettina who just happens to be someone from her school days, things start looking up as Bettina leans on Lauren to get more involved in school events. With temptation thrust at her in form of sexy teacher, Seb, and small things start going wrong, it becomes apparent that someone is out to get her. Who and why?
The tension builds as this story unfolds, with Lauren not knowing who to trust and what will go wrong next. It builds so by the time you reach the shocking conclusion you are on the edge of your seat and your finger nails are in desperate need of treatment. It is a book you will want to read in one sitting as it is not one you will want to put down. Andie M Long has shown that she is a first class storyteller with this book.
The routine of family life can at times seem mundane and this is certainly the case for Lauren Lawler. Feeling bored with life and somewhat neglected by her husband, she is getting through each day a day at a time by doing the school run, meeting her best friend Monique and running her own ebay business. When she meets a new mum at the school gate, Bettina who just happens to be someone from her school days, things start looking up as Bettina leans on Lauren to get more involved in school events. With temptation thrust at her in form of sexy teacher, Seb, and small things start going wrong, it becomes apparent that someone is out to get her. Who and why?
The tension builds as this story unfolds, with Lauren not knowing who to trust and what will go wrong next. It builds so by the time you reach the shocking conclusion you are on the edge of your seat and your finger nails are in desperate need of treatment. It is a book you will want to read in one sitting as it is not one you will want to put down. Andie M Long has shown that she is a first class storyteller with this book.
November 2, 2015
Well, if you're after an 'who done it' this could be it.
Admittedly it was a slow started but the more you read on, the more pulled in you got.
I certainly did not see who the perpetrator was, Andie has you believing it was Bettina from the start.
I liked Lo, she was quite funny, and I'm sure a lot of people want a life similar, a stay at home Mum, with something to keep the old grey matter ticking and earning some extra cash to boot.
Niall, stuck in his ways, had taken Lo for granted and their marriage had gone a bit state.
Monica, where do you start, she was a strange one, but kept everything hidden. She really did enjoy her friendship with Lo, but was obsessed with having a life she couldn't have, Very unhinged.
Ooh sexy Seb! I was a bit cross with Lo, but she was feeling a bit rejected by Niall.
When all the crazy stuff started I believed it was Bettina, but she did put a good story over, then when Danny - Bettina's Ex appeared, I still thought it was Bettina. Then i thought maybe it was Seb, glad he came through in the end.
It glad made Niall see what he really had with Lo. I was glad the truth came out, its going to be a while before get back to normal, but after every crazy thing that happened it appears Lo and Niall are going to make it through.
I enjoyed the storyline, when a mature couple, living an ordinary life, throw in some crazies and it makes for a good mystery story.
Andie certainly keeps you guessing all the way through. Enough that you want to keep turning the pages to find out the truth.
Admittedly it was a slow started but the more you read on, the more pulled in you got.
I certainly did not see who the perpetrator was, Andie has you believing it was Bettina from the start.
I liked Lo, she was quite funny, and I'm sure a lot of people want a life similar, a stay at home Mum, with something to keep the old grey matter ticking and earning some extra cash to boot.
Niall, stuck in his ways, had taken Lo for granted and their marriage had gone a bit state.
Monica, where do you start, she was a strange one, but kept everything hidden. She really did enjoy her friendship with Lo, but was obsessed with having a life she couldn't have, Very unhinged.
Ooh sexy Seb! I was a bit cross with Lo, but she was feeling a bit rejected by Niall.
When all the crazy stuff started I believed it was Bettina, but she did put a good story over, then when Danny - Bettina's Ex appeared, I still thought it was Bettina. Then i thought maybe it was Seb, glad he came through in the end.
It glad made Niall see what he really had with Lo. I was glad the truth came out, its going to be a while before get back to normal, but after every crazy thing that happened it appears Lo and Niall are going to make it through.
I enjoyed the storyline, when a mature couple, living an ordinary life, throw in some crazies and it makes for a good mystery story.
Andie certainly keeps you guessing all the way through. Enough that you want to keep turning the pages to find out the truth.
November 17, 2014
Be careful what you wish for and keep your friends close and your enemies closer are both sayings we have all heard in our lifetimes but never have either of these sayings been more true than in the case of Laurie Lewyl. To most Laurie seems to have the perfect life a husband who provides for the family a wonderful child and she has her own side business on the side as well. However like most Laurie feels like something is lacking in her life. Her sex life has dwindled and she feels like there is just no excitement in her life anymore. Her best friend Monique is the only one who she can really speak to about her fears and feelings. Laurie is about to get more excitement than she can possibly handle come into her life. It all begins when an old chum from school shows up back in her neighborhood that is when the drama reaches new proportions. Bettina just wants to start over. Having left an abusive relationship she is looking for some stability for her son and herself and thinks that moving home will do that for them. Somehow these two ladies are dragged into not only drama but are also put in the position of being framed for harming one another as well. They are played by the least likely suspect. When the drama hits it’s high point it will leave your head spinning and have you re-evaluating all of your friendships.
May 30, 2015
I obtained this book by doing a book swap at a signing with the author in Peterborough. I hadn't heard of her before looking into the other signing authors and although we had struck up a friendly online connection I hadn't had the time to look too closely into her writing. I only had one book in print, but Andie had more than that so I had simply said she choose which to give me.
Reading the blurb I was expecting it to be a lust filled tale filled with will they won't they moments mixed with some hot fantasies. What lay beneath the cover of this book was something completely different and a lot better than the preconceptions I'd conjured from the blurb. Never judge a book by it's cover; front or back.
Twists, turns and characters you can relate to, this is what Andie delivers to her readers. There was also a brief mention of my home town too which would have gotten a 6th star if it was possible.
A very English written book, written by a true northerner; I loved the way the story progressed in directions you never saw coming.
I highly recommend this book be on your TBR list.
Reading the blurb I was expecting it to be a lust filled tale filled with will they won't they moments mixed with some hot fantasies. What lay beneath the cover of this book was something completely different and a lot better than the preconceptions I'd conjured from the blurb. Never judge a book by it's cover; front or back.
Twists, turns and characters you can relate to, this is what Andie delivers to her readers. There was also a brief mention of my home town too which would have gotten a 6th star if it was possible.
A very English written book, written by a true northerner; I loved the way the story progressed in directions you never saw coming.
I highly recommend this book be on your TBR list.
September 26, 2014
Lauren is in what seems like a dead marriage. Her husband Niall just wants to watch TV, work, and ignore her. Lauren is a stay at home mom to her and Niall's only child, a son named Joe. She also runs a small store on ebay selling vintage items she finds and fixes up. Things start to turn ugly when an old classmate returns to town. Bettina who just got divorced comes home to be near her mother, and to get her and her son Tyler as far away from her ex as possible. Danny, Bettina's ex husband is a football player, he shows up and try's to make Bettina look crazy. Lauren starts to believe him because everything was fine before she shows up. Monique is Lauren's all time best friend and helps her deal with some of the crazy things. During all this Seb is a teacher at Joe's school, and is very flirty with Lauren. After a few hot steamy make outs, will Lauren give in and have an affair? The biggest shocker of them all is who is out to destroy Lauren, and why would someone try to destroy her marriage, her business, her family, home, & car.
November 4, 2014
This book was entirely different to the authors' other works, in the sense of, it wasn't erotic.
Andie did an amazing job at portraying what many married couples experience: the lack of an active and healthy sex-life due to a child, and a few insecurities along the way.
I have to say, I did feel rather guilty that I was sitting on the edge of my seat, hoping with every fiber of my being that Seb got some action, knowing full well that Lauren is married, but, what do you expect when your husband shows zero attention?
This book had me screaming, laughing and gaping...the twists and turns was something I was far from expecting, and I enjoyed that. It wasn't straight forward, it was surprise after surprise and for me, it had me questioning my judgment on numerous occasions.
For me, this was a fantastic, 5***** read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Andie did an amazing job at portraying what many married couples experience: the lack of an active and healthy sex-life due to a child, and a few insecurities along the way.
I have to say, I did feel rather guilty that I was sitting on the edge of my seat, hoping with every fiber of my being that Seb got some action, knowing full well that Lauren is married, but, what do you expect when your husband shows zero attention?
This book had me screaming, laughing and gaping...the twists and turns was something I was far from expecting, and I enjoyed that. It wasn't straight forward, it was surprise after surprise and for me, it had me questioning my judgment on numerous occasions.
For me, this was a fantastic, 5***** read.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2015
Really enjoyed this book, but it did take me a little while to get into it. It looks at what happens when a housewife and mother seemingly becomes bored with life. She spends time with her close friend, shops and runs a small at home ebay business.
This keeps her content up until she not only starts chatting with her former school mate who convinces her to join the schools fayre organisers. This is where she meets the man who is to be teaching her son after the summer.
Emotions run high, until in a twist of fate everything turns on its axis and her world starts to spiral out of control.
Lauren needs to figure out who is behind all the happenings and suffer the consequences of her actions along the way.
This keeps her content up until she not only starts chatting with her former school mate who convinces her to join the schools fayre organisers. This is where she meets the man who is to be teaching her son after the summer.
Emotions run high, until in a twist of fate everything turns on its axis and her world starts to spiral out of control.
Lauren needs to figure out who is behind all the happenings and suffer the consequences of her actions along the way.
August 26, 2015
this is a story of a couple who have a comfortable life so your wondering what makes this a great read. Well Lauren is bored, too much time on her hands even though she has a loving husband, a son, she has a little business she runs online, she goes for coffee and shopping with her friend. Then her life changes she meets her son's soon to be teacher he's nerdy but he flirts with her and makes her feel again, things are stale between her and her husband, a girl from school comes back to the area and it's not good history. This is where strange things start happening to slowly destroy her life around her, you will be gripped by the what if scenario and who the hell, it is brilliantly done and I really enjoyed it
September 14, 2015
WOW! What a crazy twisted tale of love and revenge. Lauren seems to have the idyllic life – happy marriage, son and an Ebay business that she loves but it feels empty. She and Niall have a life of comfort and acceptance, the spark has faded. Her best friend Monica is the wild child, doesn't want to settle down and always pushes Lauren to change her world. When an old acquaintance from childhood comes back into Lauren's life, strange things start to happen. Is Bettina out to right some old hurts from their pasts? As Lauren sees her life unravel, will she finally appreciate what she has? Or will her entire world fall apart? What an incredibly intricate story of love and revenge that kept me guessing and ultimately surprised me.
June 29, 2016
This is my first but not last book by this author.
Underneath seems to have it all, affairs, jealousy, revenge, betrayal, secrets, back stabbing, drama and more.
There are a mixture of strong and weak characters and some I didn’t like very much. Seb in particular didn’t appeal to me with his crude mannerism and in real life would probably have gotten a back hander from me if he used all those sexual innuendos to me as a married woman and was surprised with Lauren for accepting them. I found each character very unique and realistic in their own way.
A steady paced, gripping and pretty scary read that kept my interest throughout with a WOW ending.
Many thanks to THE Book Club and Andie M. Long for this book I received from them.
Underneath seems to have it all, affairs, jealousy, revenge, betrayal, secrets, back stabbing, drama and more.
There are a mixture of strong and weak characters and some I didn’t like very much. Seb in particular didn’t appeal to me with his crude mannerism and in real life would probably have gotten a back hander from me if he used all those sexual innuendos to me as a married woman and was surprised with Lauren for accepting them. I found each character very unique and realistic in their own way.
A steady paced, gripping and pretty scary read that kept my interest throughout with a WOW ending.
Many thanks to THE Book Club and Andie M. Long for this book I received from them.
September 15, 2014
I loved the suspense in this story. I honestly didn't know how to feel about Lauren at times. Part of me sympathised with her, but the more you read, the more you realise that perhaps she has some part to play in how she's come to feel. This book has suspense, temptation, and humour. When you're presented with conflicting evidence who do you believe? At one point I wanted to shout out at Lauren to change the path she was on, but who knows how any of us would react in similar circumstances. Very enjoyable read.
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