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Our Beautiful Mess
'Adele Parks consistently writes banger after banger, and Our Beautiful Mess might just be her best yet. Addictive and brilliant’ Lisa Jewell 'Had me gripped from beginning to end. Masterfully written with gut-punching twists and brimming with tension this is Adele Parks’ best book yet. Absolutely outstanding’ Claire Douglas
*****
Connie is determined to host the perfect Christmas. But as all her family come together, explosive revelations and long-held secrets are set to destroy everything important in her world …
Connie can’t wait to have her daughters back home for the holidays. Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay, and the empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.
Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie knows trouble is coming. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. She doesn’t want him in Fran’s world, but then Fran announces she’s pregnant.
Connie is terrified that her past is going to threaten her family’s future, but there’s a greater menace looming. She’s not the only one who has something to hide. Someone in the house has another devastating secret. A deception which will put everyone Connie loves in shocking danger, and one of them will pay the ultimate price.
Number One bestseller Adele Parks returns with an explosive and deeply emotional family drama which explores the lengths a parent will go to protect a child; for there’s nothing stronger than a woman whose family is under threat.
*****
‘Adele Parks has done it again. Grabbed me from page one and kept me there on the edge of my seat. Superb writing as ever. She simply gets better and better and better. You have to read this book!’ Ruth Jones
An Observer Thriller of the Month ‘A great read’
'A barnstorming novel' The Times
‘My favourite Adele Parks novel yet! So brilliant, so compelling, so tense! The suspense builds and builds until the breathless conclusion. Utterly thrilling from start to finish’ Lucy Clarke
‘Our Beautiful Mess leaps straight to the top of my Adele Parks rankings – wise, intelligent, compassionate, with a masterful pulse of menace throughout. Utterly immersive’ Louise Candlish
‘Breathe while you can. Adele Parks is back with a heart-in-mouth thriller that will have you frantically turning the pages’ C L Taylor
‘An addictive tale of family dynamics with layers of tension that grip relentlessly. A superbly crafted, thrilling ride’ K L Slater
‘No-one does ‘family noir’ quite like Adele Parks and Our Beautiful Mess is an absolute masterclass – as one terrible mistake leaves a woman’s perfect life hanging by a thread’ T. M. Logan
'Our Beautiful Mess grabs you from page one and keeps you glued to the edge of your seat until the final sentence. Deliciously dark and addictive' Crime Monthly
'This well-plotted explosive family drama, with superb characterisation, is layered with tension and its pulse-raising dilemmas will have you on the edge of your seat' Sunday Times
*****
Connie is determined to host the perfect Christmas. But as all her family come together, explosive revelations and long-held secrets are set to destroy everything important in her world …
Connie can’t wait to have her daughters back home for the holidays. Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay, and the empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.
Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie knows trouble is coming. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. She doesn’t want him in Fran’s world, but then Fran announces she’s pregnant.
Connie is terrified that her past is going to threaten her family’s future, but there’s a greater menace looming. She’s not the only one who has something to hide. Someone in the house has another devastating secret. A deception which will put everyone Connie loves in shocking danger, and one of them will pay the ultimate price.
Number One bestseller Adele Parks returns with an explosive and deeply emotional family drama which explores the lengths a parent will go to protect a child; for there’s nothing stronger than a woman whose family is under threat.
*****
‘Adele Parks has done it again. Grabbed me from page one and kept me there on the edge of my seat. Superb writing as ever. She simply gets better and better and better. You have to read this book!’ Ruth Jones
An Observer Thriller of the Month ‘A great read’
'A barnstorming novel' The Times
‘My favourite Adele Parks novel yet! So brilliant, so compelling, so tense! The suspense builds and builds until the breathless conclusion. Utterly thrilling from start to finish’ Lucy Clarke
‘Our Beautiful Mess leaps straight to the top of my Adele Parks rankings – wise, intelligent, compassionate, with a masterful pulse of menace throughout. Utterly immersive’ Louise Candlish
‘Breathe while you can. Adele Parks is back with a heart-in-mouth thriller that will have you frantically turning the pages’ C L Taylor
‘An addictive tale of family dynamics with layers of tension that grip relentlessly. A superbly crafted, thrilling ride’ K L Slater
‘No-one does ‘family noir’ quite like Adele Parks and Our Beautiful Mess is an absolute masterclass – as one terrible mistake leaves a woman’s perfect life hanging by a thread’ T. M. Logan
'Our Beautiful Mess grabs you from page one and keeps you glued to the edge of your seat until the final sentence. Deliciously dark and addictive' Crime Monthly
'This well-plotted explosive family drama, with superb characterisation, is layered with tension and its pulse-raising dilemmas will have you on the edge of your seat' Sunday Times
Audible Audio
First published August 8, 2025
459 people are currently reading
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About the author
Adele Parks
57 books3,361 followersAdele Parks MBE is one of the most-loved and biggest-selling women's fiction writers in the UK. She has sold over 4 million books and her work has been translated into 30 different languages.
She has published 21 novels, all of which have been London Times bestsellers.
Adele has written 19 contemporary novels and 2 historical ones, Spare Brides and If You Go Away, which are set during and after WW1. Her latest novels, Both of You, Just My Luck, Lies Lies Lies, I Invited Her In, The Image of You and The Stranger in My Home are twisty, domestic noirs. Adele likes to scrutinize our concepts of family, our theories on love, parenting and fidelity.
During her career Adele has lived in Italy, Botswana and London. Now she lives happily in Surrey, UK with her husband, son and cat.
If you want to stay in touch you can find Adele on Twitter @AdeleParks, Instagram @Adele_Parks or Facebook @OfficialAdeleParks. You can sign up to her newsletter at eepurl.com/cI0l and there’s lots more info about Adele and her books on www.adeleparks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
November 25, 2025
True confession: I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did—and yet here I am, putting it firmly in my top five recent reads! What a ride. The characterization is absolutely masterful, the kind of layered, nuanced writing that makes you feel like you know these people in real life. Add to that a family drama overflowing with buried secrets, a slow-burn tension that sneaks up on you like a shadow at dusk, and a creeping sense of dread that whispers: something terrible is about to happen. And then—BAM!—the twist explodes in your face just when you’ve convinced yourself the author couldn’t possibly take it that far. Jaw-dropping doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The structure is tight, the pressure relentless, and the pacing perfectly balanced—slow enough to let you savor the character work, fast enough to keep your pulse racing. And oh, those characters! A brilliantly flawed bunch, all carrying their own guilt, wrestling with demons, and veering between light and darkness in a way that feels painfully, beautifully human. I’ve read a few of this author’s books, but this one might be my favorite yet. Not only is it a stimulating, high-stakes thriller, but it’s also an achingly realistic story about motherhood, betrayal, family bonds, and the way past mistakes ripple into the present.
We meet Connie, a warmhearted mother of three daughters. In her mid-50s, she’s a freelance photographer, happily married for thirty years, and living in a beautiful home where she’s joyfully preparing for a big Christmas celebration. Her only expectation? That her entire family will gather under one roof for a picture-perfect holiday. But Connie has no idea that her dream celebration will turn into a nightmare in just eleven days.
The drama begins when Fran, the eldest and supposedly wisest daughter, returns home with two shocking surprises: a new boyfriend, Zac, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Connie’s old lover (a man who almost destroyed her marriage years ago), and—oh yes—she’s very pregnant. Cue collective gasps. But the shocks don’t stop there. Flora, the middle daughter, is back from college, while Sophie, at fifteen, is deep in her rebellious streak. And as the family braces for Fran’s revelations, more complications surface. Connie discovers who Zac’s father is, and when he decides to meet him—in front of both families—chaos inevitably follows.
Still, these are only the opening salvos. The deeper tensions lurk just beneath the surface. Why does Zac keep slipping away at night, receiving cryptic texts and calls from unknown numbers? What secrets is Fran hiding about her pregnancy, and why does her depression feel so suffocating? The atmosphere grows heavier by the day, until the holiday cheer sours into suspicion and fear. And the looming question hangs over every chapter: what exactly is going to happen on that eleventh day?
Is someone in danger? Is an outsider threatening the family—or is the true threat festering within, rooted in secrets they’ve tried too hard to bury? When the past and present collide, no one will escape unscathed.
Overall: This is a fantastic domestic thriller, the kind that you devour in greedy gulps, unable to stop flipping the pages. The tension, the atmosphere, the relentless twists—it’s all incredible. I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you love character-driven suspense with emotional depth and high drama, put this book on your radar immediately. I ordered my own copy after finishing the ARC, and I suggest you do the same.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for sharing this gripping digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The structure is tight, the pressure relentless, and the pacing perfectly balanced—slow enough to let you savor the character work, fast enough to keep your pulse racing. And oh, those characters! A brilliantly flawed bunch, all carrying their own guilt, wrestling with demons, and veering between light and darkness in a way that feels painfully, beautifully human. I’ve read a few of this author’s books, but this one might be my favorite yet. Not only is it a stimulating, high-stakes thriller, but it’s also an achingly realistic story about motherhood, betrayal, family bonds, and the way past mistakes ripple into the present.
We meet Connie, a warmhearted mother of three daughters. In her mid-50s, she’s a freelance photographer, happily married for thirty years, and living in a beautiful home where she’s joyfully preparing for a big Christmas celebration. Her only expectation? That her entire family will gather under one roof for a picture-perfect holiday. But Connie has no idea that her dream celebration will turn into a nightmare in just eleven days.
The drama begins when Fran, the eldest and supposedly wisest daughter, returns home with two shocking surprises: a new boyfriend, Zac, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Connie’s old lover (a man who almost destroyed her marriage years ago), and—oh yes—she’s very pregnant. Cue collective gasps. But the shocks don’t stop there. Flora, the middle daughter, is back from college, while Sophie, at fifteen, is deep in her rebellious streak. And as the family braces for Fran’s revelations, more complications surface. Connie discovers who Zac’s father is, and when he decides to meet him—in front of both families—chaos inevitably follows.
Still, these are only the opening salvos. The deeper tensions lurk just beneath the surface. Why does Zac keep slipping away at night, receiving cryptic texts and calls from unknown numbers? What secrets is Fran hiding about her pregnancy, and why does her depression feel so suffocating? The atmosphere grows heavier by the day, until the holiday cheer sours into suspicion and fear. And the looming question hangs over every chapter: what exactly is going to happen on that eleventh day?
Is someone in danger? Is an outsider threatening the family—or is the true threat festering within, rooted in secrets they’ve tried too hard to bury? When the past and present collide, no one will escape unscathed.
Overall: This is a fantastic domestic thriller, the kind that you devour in greedy gulps, unable to stop flipping the pages. The tension, the atmosphere, the relentless twists—it’s all incredible. I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you love character-driven suspense with emotional depth and high drama, put this book on your radar immediately. I ordered my own copy after finishing the ARC, and I suggest you do the same.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Park Row for sharing this gripping digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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September 4, 2025
Adele Parks + Kristin Atherton = Amazing Audiobook!
(Please check my math!)
Surprisingly, this "MESS" book was a "MISS" for me.
😭😭😭😭
Yes, this domestic drama, penned by one of my favorite authors and performed by one of my favorite audiobook narrators, failed to meet my elevated expectations.
Adele Parks has authored books in many different genres (thrillers, romcoms, historical fiction, domestic noirs), and I am always awed by her talent, prowess, and scope.
WHY NOT 5 STARS?
1) The book's first "gut-wrenching" twist was borderline creepy. (Shock factor???)
2) Overall, the book was slow-paced and lacked the signature "darkness" expected in all genres of the author's books.
3) The book was waaay too long. This 12-hour audiobook easily could have been a 9-hour audiobook.
4) The book was also waaay too melodramatic.
5) The ending and many of the storyline elements were contrived and predictable
I especially enjoyed the Author's Note.
Per Adele Parks, many of the book's characters appeared in her first book, published 25 years ago.
This "MESS/MISS" book was a standalone read. However, perhaps I might have enjoyed it more had I read Adele Parks' first book.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Kristin Atherton and Gary Porter.
Although both narrators gave outstanding performances, the book could have used four narrators since it unfolded from four POVs.
NOTE: The publisher's blurb was inaccurate. This was not a book about the lengths a parent will go to protect a child. Instead, it was about families with secrets and the consequences of poor choices.
November 18, 2025
I do love Adele Parks books and I was excited when this one arrived as the October Thrillerfluencer book club pick. What a wild and emotional ride. It was hard to put down,not knowing what dark secrets were about to exposed.
This is a family drama, with high stakes thrills and lots of danger. Connie is just looking forward to a lovely quiet Christmas with all 3 of her daughters home. She does not expect her eldest daughter’s new boyfriend to evoke such a memory of her biggest mistake in life… and the shocks just keep coming. I don’t want to spoil the story because there is so much happening, really just go with it all because you know it is going to be fun and juicy. Family secrets that could destroy them all are just under the surface, threatening to ruin them all.
It is a story of family, of motherhood, of navigating through life and all the mistakes and challenges that come with growing up. Connie is a familiar character to those who have read previous books by this author which was a lovely surprise.
Another winner from this author who never lets me down.
This is a family drama, with high stakes thrills and lots of danger. Connie is just looking forward to a lovely quiet Christmas with all 3 of her daughters home. She does not expect her eldest daughter’s new boyfriend to evoke such a memory of her biggest mistake in life… and the shocks just keep coming. I don’t want to spoil the story because there is so much happening, really just go with it all because you know it is going to be fun and juicy. Family secrets that could destroy them all are just under the surface, threatening to ruin them all.
It is a story of family, of motherhood, of navigating through life and all the mistakes and challenges that come with growing up. Connie is a familiar character to those who have read previous books by this author which was a lovely surprise.
Another winner from this author who never lets me down.
August 19, 2025
4.5⭐️💫 Connie can’t wait to have all her daughters back home for Christmas. It’s not just the excitement of the girls being together under one roof; uni student Fran is bringing a new boyfriend to stay. Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease as he reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever made: a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant. Reeling from Fran’s news & terrified that her past might threaten her family’s future, Connie desperately tries to navigate a path forward. But someone in the house has another devastating secret, a deception which will put everyone Connie loves in shocking danger & one of them will pay the ultimate price…
As with all of Adele’s books, her unique skill of creating a cast of characters you instantly connect with is seamless, and right from the start the reader is thrown into the world of Connie & her family.
Told through chapters with multiple character POV’s throughout, the reader gets an-depth awareness of all the goings on, all of the emotions, all of the secrets. Building up the tension from the very start, it isn’t until the last quarter that the action really ramps up a gear, but this is not to stay that the content prior to this doesn’t pack a punch - as it really does!
I really enjoyed the titles of different sections leading to ‘The End’, starting with the insight into the final conclusion was also a very clever way of manipulating your thought process of what lay ahead from the very beginning. The differing perspectives also work sublimely in this title, the perfect insertion of clues placed at relevant points and, although I did see a few elements coming, I throughly enjoyed every second of this book, so much so I devoured it in two sittings.
There is a reason this is the 25th book by this author, they just keep getting better! Here’s to many more to come Adele!
As with all of Adele’s books, her unique skill of creating a cast of characters you instantly connect with is seamless, and right from the start the reader is thrown into the world of Connie & her family.
Told through chapters with multiple character POV’s throughout, the reader gets an-depth awareness of all the goings on, all of the emotions, all of the secrets. Building up the tension from the very start, it isn’t until the last quarter that the action really ramps up a gear, but this is not to stay that the content prior to this doesn’t pack a punch - as it really does!
I really enjoyed the titles of different sections leading to ‘The End’, starting with the insight into the final conclusion was also a very clever way of manipulating your thought process of what lay ahead from the very beginning. The differing perspectives also work sublimely in this title, the perfect insertion of clues placed at relevant points and, although I did see a few elements coming, I throughly enjoyed every second of this book, so much so I devoured it in two sittings.
There is a reason this is the 25th book by this author, they just keep getting better! Here’s to many more to come Adele!
September 20, 2025
not one of her best. just a pretty average pointless book
October 17, 2025
I can describe this in one word – unrealistic. This begins as a pretty good domestic thriller with family secrets, guilt and buried pasts but somewhere between the first page and the last, reality gets lost in the drama. It began with promise – a mother thrilled to have her daughters home for Christmas only to be unsettled by one daughter’s new boyfriend who dredges up memories she’d rather forget. But the story quickly spins from tense to downright implausible. Every character seems to act in the least believable way possible. I didn’t like any of these characters and it felt like a really bad soap opera. The twists were terrible and honestly gross. It ends up being a messy blend of improbable choices, exaggerated drama and characters who don’t behave like real people. It’s readable but not believable.
November 30, 2025
4 ⭐️s
This was my first time reading this author, and I was completely captivated by her writing.
I have to check out the other stories that feature the main character, Connie. Had I of known I would have read Playing Away first which was written more than 20 years ago.
The story evolved from a family drama into a gripping thriller. Loved it! Very entertaining.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda/HarperCollins UK
Read by Gary Turner, Kristin Atherton
Duration: 9 hrs 29 min. 1.50x Speed
This was my first time reading this author, and I was completely captivated by her writing.
I have to check out the other stories that feature the main character, Connie. Had I of known I would have read Playing Away first which was written more than 20 years ago.
The story evolved from a family drama into a gripping thriller. Loved it! Very entertaining.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda/HarperCollins UK
Read by Gary Turner, Kristin Atherton
Duration: 9 hrs 29 min. 1.50x Speed
September 18, 2025
Skimmed this, struggled to care, what a mish mosh of a story...only reason 3 stars because of the young characters who were real in comaprison to the parody of adults stumbling through the pages of yawn.
August 27, 2025
Is Adele the absolute queen of thrilling family drama or what?
Wow. Our Beautiful Mess is an absolute rollercoaster ride from start to finish - and the title summarises it up rather well. This is the story of Connie, her husband and her three daughters, with much of the plot revolving around her eldest daughter, Fran. Coming home from university for the Christmas break, Fran introduces her new boyfriend, Zac - as well as the fact she's pregnant. A bit of a shock, but Connie can cope with it. What Connie cannot cope with, however, is the fact that Zac's father is John Harding, the man Connie had an affair with some years earlier.
The first half of the book deals with the turmoil of this family drama, with everyone coming to terms with Fran's pregnancy. We get perspective from Fran herself, the difficulty of leaving friends behind as she enters this new phase of life but also the excitement of being a mum. But there's also something niggling at her — and it seems both her and Zac have big secrets that are going to have dire consequences.
The second half of the book? Oh my god, I could not put it down. This GOES PLACES, and to reveal exactly what happens will ruin it for you. You'll have an inkling from the first chapter, because this story opens where it ends - with a terrible incident involving someone getting shot. But exactly how Connie, Fran, Zac and John Harding's stories unfold to get to that point is something you'll have to find out for yourself. But trust me: once you start reading, you won't be able to stop.
I don't think any review I write can do this book justice, especially without revealing any spoilers, but take my word for it: if you enjoy domestic drama and family-based thrills, this is an absolute must-read.
Oh, and Connie and John Harding have featured in Adele Parks' work before: Playing Away and Young Wive's Tales feature them both. I know what I'll be reading soon!
Wow. Our Beautiful Mess is an absolute rollercoaster ride from start to finish - and the title summarises it up rather well. This is the story of Connie, her husband and her three daughters, with much of the plot revolving around her eldest daughter, Fran. Coming home from university for the Christmas break, Fran introduces her new boyfriend, Zac - as well as the fact she's pregnant. A bit of a shock, but Connie can cope with it. What Connie cannot cope with, however, is the fact that Zac's father is John Harding, the man Connie had an affair with some years earlier.
The first half of the book deals with the turmoil of this family drama, with everyone coming to terms with Fran's pregnancy. We get perspective from Fran herself, the difficulty of leaving friends behind as she enters this new phase of life but also the excitement of being a mum. But there's also something niggling at her — and it seems both her and Zac have big secrets that are going to have dire consequences.
The second half of the book? Oh my god, I could not put it down. This GOES PLACES, and to reveal exactly what happens will ruin it for you. You'll have an inkling from the first chapter, because this story opens where it ends - with a terrible incident involving someone getting shot. But exactly how Connie, Fran, Zac and John Harding's stories unfold to get to that point is something you'll have to find out for yourself. But trust me: once you start reading, you won't be able to stop.
I don't think any review I write can do this book justice, especially without revealing any spoilers, but take my word for it: if you enjoy domestic drama and family-based thrills, this is an absolute must-read.
Oh, and Connie and John Harding have featured in Adele Parks' work before: Playing Away and Young Wive's Tales feature them both. I know what I'll be reading soon!
November 13, 2025
I really tried to like this book but, unfortunately I didn't. I find Adele Parks books so overated. Most of the time I don't enjoy reading them. This story was so slow and the characters were just awful.
August 27, 2025
Told from various POV and which a mix of chapter lengths.
The first half of the book was mainly setting the scene and felt more family drama than thriller, and I found it to be quite slow paced.
The second half of the book, the pace quickened, and all of a sudden, you were hit with these twists. A lot of them I did see coming.
I preferred the second half of the book to the first half. There are a lot of clichés within the book, which I think is what was putting me off to begin with.
But please don't let my few negatives put you off, I've seen lots of great reviews for this one, and I think maybe I'm just used to darker and twistier thrillers.
The first half of the book was mainly setting the scene and felt more family drama than thriller, and I found it to be quite slow paced.
The second half of the book, the pace quickened, and all of a sudden, you were hit with these twists. A lot of them I did see coming.
I preferred the second half of the book to the first half. There are a lot of clichés within the book, which I think is what was putting me off to begin with.
But please don't let my few negatives put you off, I've seen lots of great reviews for this one, and I think maybe I'm just used to darker and twistier thrillers.
September 30, 2025
Lucky getting two stars as I did enjoy it for parts. But honestly what a load of shite. How many times can you say Taylor Swift. What an awful ending. Kill me now.
September 18, 2025
Another great one by Adele, I just love her writing style and I’m hooked from the first page. Short chapters, multiple POV, family drama and some crime thrown in… what’s not to love?!
October 16, 2025
does this count towards my reading goal if i skim read the last 100 pages an hour before book club?
October 5, 2025
I had no idea until someone said on a review here that this book was based on the character in the author’s first book! i wish I had known or I would’ve re read. It may have helped warming to the character a bit more.
I struggled rooting for anyone in the book.
I felt like there was loads more narrative than in Adele park’s other novels and wasn’t as gripped as I have been previously,
I really liked the John Harding character so I’m off to revisit him in the first book which I must’ve read over 20 years ago!
I struggled rooting for anyone in the book.
I felt like there was loads more narrative than in Adele park’s other novels and wasn’t as gripped as I have been previously,
I really liked the John Harding character so I’m off to revisit him in the first book which I must’ve read over 20 years ago!
November 9, 2025
The story itself could have been so good with all its twists and turns but how descriptive every single aspect was really made it hard to enjoy. It reminded me of my English teacher telling me to use more descriptive language so I used everything I possibly could. Each chapter had one key point padded out with pages and pages and pages of lengthy details. It's a shame as the story had potential to be good!
August 28, 2025
I openly admit I went into this one blind and missed the genre being "romance mystery." However, even if I knew beforehand, I'd probably still have given it a go because I usually enjoy this author's work.
Parks' work is easy to engage with. It has a nice flow and rhythm. Its highly descriptive, creates great suspense and fuelled with trepidation.
If I were a romance reader, I feel like I would appreciate this book more than I did.
It has a strong plot, with mystery and unreliable characters. You've got the typical tropes to fill your boots with and a focus on conflicting age generations, making it have more of a modern-day relationship focus.
There are long chapters with multiple POVs, providing a deep set for each character.
It builds great tension, which kept me reading for more than 50%, but by this point, I realised skim read, and it was just not my vibe. I did DNF it.
Early on, it's heavy on romantic relationships, family drama, toxic relationships, and in words I often use, "very peopley."
It' rich in characters and a cast driven story. The members of two families brought together by their children's unexpected pregnancy. At the age of 21/22, and in our generation, this is seen as "too young to manage," which brings forward controversial strains.
The content of this story is very domesticated and revolves around people's lives. There are small events which did pique my interest; however, they become a little predictable and coincidental.
There is also a lot of filler that comes with this story, which makes it a little mundane. Details around Christmas dinner, types of drinks, house decorations, and affluent shopping locations. For me, it did become a little too much, and I struggled with interest.
I can't say I wouldn't recommend it because I can imagine it being a very good book for some people, and I know some avid Parks followers will devour this one. What I would say is check the genre type and try it out for yourself!
Parks' work is easy to engage with. It has a nice flow and rhythm. Its highly descriptive, creates great suspense and fuelled with trepidation.
If I were a romance reader, I feel like I would appreciate this book more than I did.
It has a strong plot, with mystery and unreliable characters. You've got the typical tropes to fill your boots with and a focus on conflicting age generations, making it have more of a modern-day relationship focus.
There are long chapters with multiple POVs, providing a deep set for each character.
It builds great tension, which kept me reading for more than 50%, but by this point, I realised skim read, and it was just not my vibe. I did DNF it.
Early on, it's heavy on romantic relationships, family drama, toxic relationships, and in words I often use, "very peopley."
It' rich in characters and a cast driven story. The members of two families brought together by their children's unexpected pregnancy. At the age of 21/22, and in our generation, this is seen as "too young to manage," which brings forward controversial strains.
The content of this story is very domesticated and revolves around people's lives. There are small events which did pique my interest; however, they become a little predictable and coincidental.
There is also a lot of filler that comes with this story, which makes it a little mundane. Details around Christmas dinner, types of drinks, house decorations, and affluent shopping locations. For me, it did become a little too much, and I struggled with interest.
I can't say I wouldn't recommend it because I can imagine it being a very good book for some people, and I know some avid Parks followers will devour this one. What I would say is check the genre type and try it out for yourself!
September 17, 2025
It’s Christmas time and Connie is so excited to have her three daughters back for the holidays. Her eldest daughter Fran brings her boyfriend Zac who makes Connie uncomfortable as he reminds her of the biggest mistake of her life.
I am a huge Adele Parks fan but unfortunately this wasn’t my cup of tea. I wouldn’t really class this as a thriller, the characters were unlikable and there weren’t really any shocking moments. The main twist could be spotted a mile off.
It was incredibly slow to start off with, then the ending had too much going on and was just a little wild. I didn’t think all the side plots linked together particularly well.
I was entertaining enough and I didn’t ever feel like DNFing but unfortunately this just wasn’t my favourite of hers.
I am a huge Adele Parks fan but unfortunately this wasn’t my cup of tea. I wouldn’t really class this as a thriller, the characters were unlikable and there weren’t really any shocking moments. The main twist could be spotted a mile off.
It was incredibly slow to start off with, then the ending had too much going on and was just a little wild. I didn’t think all the side plots linked together particularly well.
I was entertaining enough and I didn’t ever feel like DNFing but unfortunately this just wasn’t my favourite of hers.
September 19, 2025
DNF..thank goodness I borrowed this from library! What a lot of rubbish!! So far fetched and unbelievable!
I managed about 120 pages then knew it was going to be bad.
I used to be excited when Adele Parks released a new book but this is just awful! I wasn’t impressed with the last one either so maybe time I looked for something different…
I managed about 120 pages then knew it was going to be bad.
I used to be excited when Adele Parks released a new book but this is just awful! I wasn’t impressed with the last one either so maybe time I looked for something different…
November 16, 2025
From the moment Connie opens her door for the holidays, the warmth of family quickly curdles into something darker. Her daughters are finally home, the house buzzing again with laughter and love… but all of it comes crashing to a halt the second she lays eyes on Fran’s new boyfriend, Zac.
Because Connie has seen this type of charm before.
She’s lived through the damage it can do.
And she knows—deep in her bones—that Zac is danger wrapped in a smile.
But when Fran drops a life-changing secret of her own, Connie’s fear slides into full-blown panic. As the past claws its way back and lies begin to stack like kindling, the holiday cheer twists into a claustrophobic nightmare. Someone under this roof is hiding a truth sharp enough to cut—and one person won’t make it out alive.
Adele Parks delivers another explosive family drama, unraveling the terrifying lengths a mother will go to protect her child. Gripping, emotional, and chillingly plausible… this is domestic suspense at its finest.
#BookReview #Bookstagram #DomesticThriller #FamilyDrama #AdeleParks #PsychologicalThriller #HolidayReads #PageTurner #TwistyReads #SuspenseBooks #ReadersOfInstagram #BookObsessed #BookishLove #MustReadThriller
Because Connie has seen this type of charm before.
She’s lived through the damage it can do.
And she knows—deep in her bones—that Zac is danger wrapped in a smile.
But when Fran drops a life-changing secret of her own, Connie’s fear slides into full-blown panic. As the past claws its way back and lies begin to stack like kindling, the holiday cheer twists into a claustrophobic nightmare. Someone under this roof is hiding a truth sharp enough to cut—and one person won’t make it out alive.
Adele Parks delivers another explosive family drama, unraveling the terrifying lengths a mother will go to protect her child. Gripping, emotional, and chillingly plausible… this is domestic suspense at its finest.
#BookReview #Bookstagram #DomesticThriller #FamilyDrama #AdeleParks #PsychologicalThriller #HolidayReads #PageTurner #TwistyReads #SuspenseBooks #ReadersOfInstagram #BookObsessed #BookishLove #MustReadThriller
November 11, 2025
This started off as a family drama and ended up as a bit of a thriller. Connie Baker has her family home for Christmas and is excited to meet daughter Fran’s new boyfriend Zac. However, Zac’s arrival threatens to bring hidden secrets to light, and Zac himself is struggling with a dangerous situation. Over the course of a week, events rush to a dramatic conclusion that could shatter Connie’s family for good.
This was quite a compelling read although the smugness of the characters was a bit wearing at first. As the secrets began to be revealed and the failures to be honest and communicate directly caused a more perilous situation, the story became more nuanced and engaging and the last few chapters were really gripping.
This was quite a compelling read although the smugness of the characters was a bit wearing at first. As the secrets began to be revealed and the failures to be honest and communicate directly caused a more perilous situation, the story became more nuanced and engaging and the last few chapters were really gripping.
September 9, 2025
So many twists and reveals throughout each chapter. Easy read with characters who develop and change.
October 24, 2025
Rubbish
Don't bother reading .not worth it. Long winded and boring.
I would not recommend this book
Not sure what the hype was about
I read a lot of books and this was one of the most boring
Don't bother reading .not worth it. Long winded and boring.
I would not recommend this book
Not sure what the hype was about
I read a lot of books and this was one of the most boring
October 16, 2025
Found the plot line quite interesting trying to figure out what was going on. Liked the style of knowing what happens at the end at the start of the book. Was hoping for more of a turning point on the last chapter though.
Not so much a fan of some of the younger language used?
But I have to say the whole sleeping with your boyfriend’s dad who your mother also had an affair with was about this funniest thing I’ve ever read, I was gobsmacked for a good half hour!!!
Overall a good read, would recommend
Not so much a fan of some of the younger language used?
But I have to say the whole sleeping with your boyfriend’s dad who your mother also had an affair with was about this funniest thing I’ve ever read, I was gobsmacked for a good half hour!!!
Overall a good read, would recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
Found many parts of this story unbelievable - relied heavy on coincidence and struggled to find some of the actions of the main characters plausible.
August 28, 2025
Parks presents a family who on the outside, seem to have the perfect life. Successful parents, financially secure, and three daughters who are on the upwards to making their mark in the world. However, it would appear that this family have plenty of secrets and the surprises just keep on coming in this twisty narrative.
Set against the backdrop of Christmas and New Year, I thought this just added to the fragility of the season. Whilst it is associated with love, laughter and plenty of relaxing, this certainly does not happen as Connie gears up to host another perfect Christmas. Instead, the story opens with an ambiguous “end” which is full of tension and surprise. The narrative then reverses a couple of weeks and each day marks the countdown to this moment in time – what on earth happens to this family that means they are at this point of collapse at the “end”?
I felt sorry for Connie’s husband, Luke, who seems to be the innocent victim in this one. So many around him have kept secrets that he is on the backfoot so often. He is the family rock and yet truths seem to have by-passed him. The women in this family are elusive with the truth, even with the youngest daughter, and I was fascinated to see how this would all reach a climax.
Not only that, Fran’s new boyfriend stirs the pot. Meeting his girlfriend’s family for the first time is nerve-wracking enough, let alone it being at Christmas and when Fran has a big surprise for everyone. I was curious about Zac’s character and enjoyed how Parks gradually reveals Zac’s background – how he came to be involved in questionable actions and the impact they have had.
The narrative moves between several characters, giving readers the most honesty. I found I was quite distrustful of John and Zac, having wild theories that I was keen to see if proven correct. The story itself was rather unpredictable and I liked the unexpected revelations that came throughout the narrative: it definitely hooked my interest throughout.
This family drama reinforces the love a parent has, regardless of what their offspring have done. Connie’s relationships are tested in this festive thriller and I could not help but read this book with a strong sense of foreboding, thanks to the opening scene. By the end of the story, I felt emotionally drained: Parks certainly takes readers on a rollercoaster of surprises with this book.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set against the backdrop of Christmas and New Year, I thought this just added to the fragility of the season. Whilst it is associated with love, laughter and plenty of relaxing, this certainly does not happen as Connie gears up to host another perfect Christmas. Instead, the story opens with an ambiguous “end” which is full of tension and surprise. The narrative then reverses a couple of weeks and each day marks the countdown to this moment in time – what on earth happens to this family that means they are at this point of collapse at the “end”?
I felt sorry for Connie’s husband, Luke, who seems to be the innocent victim in this one. So many around him have kept secrets that he is on the backfoot so often. He is the family rock and yet truths seem to have by-passed him. The women in this family are elusive with the truth, even with the youngest daughter, and I was fascinated to see how this would all reach a climax.
Not only that, Fran’s new boyfriend stirs the pot. Meeting his girlfriend’s family for the first time is nerve-wracking enough, let alone it being at Christmas and when Fran has a big surprise for everyone. I was curious about Zac’s character and enjoyed how Parks gradually reveals Zac’s background – how he came to be involved in questionable actions and the impact they have had.
The narrative moves between several characters, giving readers the most honesty. I found I was quite distrustful of John and Zac, having wild theories that I was keen to see if proven correct. The story itself was rather unpredictable and I liked the unexpected revelations that came throughout the narrative: it definitely hooked my interest throughout.
This family drama reinforces the love a parent has, regardless of what their offspring have done. Connie’s relationships are tested in this festive thriller and I could not help but read this book with a strong sense of foreboding, thanks to the opening scene. By the end of the story, I felt emotionally drained: Parks certainly takes readers on a rollercoaster of surprises with this book.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2025
Connie is busy preparing the house for Christmas and, more importantly, to have all her daughters under the same roof. Her eldest, Fran, is also bringing her new boyfriend Zac to stay over the festive season, but Connie’s excitement fades when she greets him. Something is disconcerting about him that reminds Connie of one of the worst mistakes she ever made; to make matters worse, Fran announces she is pregnant. Reeling from Fran’s news and terrified her past might erupt and rupture her family, Connie is desperate to navigate a perfect family Christmas. However, she is not the only one with something to hide, and the deception could prove to be detrimental.
Encapsulating the constant fear and worry that comes with parenting, Our Beautiful Mess is an addictive thriller with plentiful twists, suspense, and emotion. The multiple narratives add depth to the story, offering insight into different perspectives and keeping you hooked from the very beginning.
Encapsulating the constant fear and worry that comes with parenting, Our Beautiful Mess is an addictive thriller with plentiful twists, suspense, and emotion. The multiple narratives add depth to the story, offering insight into different perspectives and keeping you hooked from the very beginning.
October 4, 2025
If you want to read endless internal monologue from naff self-important characters, then this is the book for you. Despite endless drama, the novel completely lacked pace, it was like watching an episode of "Days of our lives", when a single exchange is dragged out for an entire chapter.
October 4, 2025
Just awful.
September 30, 2025
I’m a fan of Adele but I found this book utterly tedious. There isn’t a single likeable character and it was wayyy too long. I actually abandoned it (something I rarely do with any book if I get past 3 chapters) at chapter 40 because I no longer cared what happened. It became a chore . Sorry Adele 😢
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