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If They Knew
Hannah and Charlie have finally achieved their dream family with their two-year-old daughter, Isabelle, after years of heartbreak. However, their happiness is threatened when a global popstar is found murdered in their sleepy Gloucestershire village, and Hannah's past comes back to haunt her. She is forced to make a dangerous choice - risk everything, even her own life, to protect her secrets.
Meanwhile, Charlie must navigate his own secrets, which could destroy everything they've worked for. As the couple fights to keep their family together, they find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of lies and deceit, where the stakes are higher than ever before.
Will they be able to outrun the darkness of their past or will it consume them all?
Sophie is a Cotswolds-based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Her debut novel All My Lies was hailed "A real page-turner" by Sophie Hannah. Her latest novel, Keep Them Close was called "A splendidly twisty psychological mystery" by the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Charlie must navigate his own secrets, which could destroy everything they've worked for. As the couple fights to keep their family together, they find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of lies and deceit, where the stakes are higher than ever before.
Will they be able to outrun the darkness of their past or will it consume them all?
Sophie is a Cotswolds-based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Her debut novel All My Lies was hailed "A real page-turner" by Sophie Hannah. Her latest novel, Keep Them Close was called "A splendidly twisty psychological mystery" by the Daily Mail.
Audible Audio
First published November 17, 2022
26 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Flynn
7 books83 followersSophie is a Cotswolds based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Her debut novel ALL MY LIES was published by Simon & Schuster in April 2021. She has since had more psychological thrillers published by Hera, including her latest release 'What Stays Unsaid' (May, 2024).
Alongside writing, Sophie is the Managing Director of Jericho Writers. After being awarded a place at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School on the TopWrite scheme for young writers in 2017, Sophie began writing short fiction. She has since had many stories published and placed in competitions with organisations such as Writing Magazine and The Cheltenham Literature Festival.
When not writing, Sophie can be mostly found on muddy walks with her husband and rescue dog or disappearing to Cornwall whenever possible.
Alongside writing, Sophie is the Managing Director of Jericho Writers. After being awarded a place at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School on the TopWrite scheme for young writers in 2017, Sophie began writing short fiction. She has since had many stories published and placed in competitions with organisations such as Writing Magazine and The Cheltenham Literature Festival.
When not writing, Sophie can be mostly found on muddy walks with her husband and rescue dog or disappearing to Cornwall whenever possible.
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October 14, 2022
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This one is told from the point of view of Hannah and Charlie, but mostly Hannah. We also get Now and Then chapters. I am not sure what the author was going for here but it left me feeling something was missing. We have a childless couple, who just went through IVF, finally getting the chance to adopt. We also have a murder on The Farm, a fancy place for the rich and famous to relax. The victim is someone Hannah seriously dated in College, in New York.
I had a really hard time getting into this one. The writing was really repetitive, the internal dialogue didn't give me any insight into who the characters really were, and the fact that Charlie was able to do more by hacking into phones, surveillance, and alarm systems than the police was just too far-fetched for my liking. I can like a book that's over the top but there has to be something else for me to enjoy as well and this book was lacking on that front. I do own two other books by this author so I will give her another try sometime in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
#IfTheyKnew #NetGalley
This one is told from the point of view of Hannah and Charlie, but mostly Hannah. We also get Now and Then chapters. I am not sure what the author was going for here but it left me feeling something was missing. We have a childless couple, who just went through IVF, finally getting the chance to adopt. We also have a murder on The Farm, a fancy place for the rich and famous to relax. The victim is someone Hannah seriously dated in College, in New York.
I had a really hard time getting into this one. The writing was really repetitive, the internal dialogue didn't give me any insight into who the characters really were, and the fact that Charlie was able to do more by hacking into phones, surveillance, and alarm systems than the police was just too far-fetched for my liking. I can like a book that's over the top but there has to be something else for me to enjoy as well and this book was lacking on that front. I do own two other books by this author so I will give her another try sometime in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
#IfTheyKnew #NetGalley
November 7, 2022
If They Knew is a heart-wrenching novel about infertility, adoption, and the lengths we go to in order to get what we want. Hannah and Charlie are desperate for a child and will do anything to make their dream a reality, even if it means keeping secrets from past hidden.
The story is written in first person point of view, with most of the narrative coming from Hannah's internal monologues. This can be very frustrating at times, as it often feels like the author is trying to force the reader to feel what Hannah is feeling, rather than allowing them to draw their own conclusions. Additionally, the voice of the MC is often whiny and self-pitying, which makes it difficult to sympathize with her plight.
That said, the plot is wonderfully suspenseful and kept me riveted until the very end. I was fascinated by the lengths Hannah went to in order to keep her past a secret, and I found myself rooting for her and Charlie all along. This is a powerful and moving story about loss, grief, and complex trauma packed into a thriller that will stay with me long after I finish reading it.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.
The story is written in first person point of view, with most of the narrative coming from Hannah's internal monologues. This can be very frustrating at times, as it often feels like the author is trying to force the reader to feel what Hannah is feeling, rather than allowing them to draw their own conclusions. Additionally, the voice of the MC is often whiny and self-pitying, which makes it difficult to sympathize with her plight.
That said, the plot is wonderfully suspenseful and kept me riveted until the very end. I was fascinated by the lengths Hannah went to in order to keep her past a secret, and I found myself rooting for her and Charlie all along. This is a powerful and moving story about loss, grief, and complex trauma packed into a thriller that will stay with me long after I finish reading it.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.
April 13, 2024
I knew one thing about the "If They Knew" audiobook.
Tamsin Kennard was the narrator.
And if Tamsin Kennard is narrating, I will listen.
Author Sophie Flynn's domestic thriller about a couple with a questionable past seeking to adopt a child was well-written, twisty, and fast-paced with flawless characterizations.
This was my first Sophie Flynn book and it will not be my last.
June 8, 2023
Narrated by Tamsin Kennard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by Sophie Flynn ⭐⭐⭐
This is my first time trying a book by Sophie Flynn and while the premise was really good it just moved so slowly and became quite repetitive.
Story by Sophie Flynn ⭐⭐⭐
This is my first time trying a book by Sophie Flynn and while the premise was really good it just moved so slowly and became quite repetitive.
November 12, 2022
Hannah and her husband are finally accepted to adopt a child. They just have a couple interviews until they're finally parents. The only problem is Hannah has a past and she keeps worrying it will poke its ugly head out of the ground to haunt her and destroy her dream come true. She also found out a pop star and old friend was murdered . . . but how does it all tie together?
I really liked this book . . . until Charlie's chapters were added. The style in which they were written was startling and pulled me right out of the story each time. They then became more and more hard to believe. Charlie's character just didn't add up. Because he was such a big part of the story it really ruined what could have been a good domestic thriller.
I really liked this book . . . until Charlie's chapters were added. The style in which they were written was startling and pulled me right out of the story each time. They then became more and more hard to believe. Charlie's character just didn't add up. Because he was such a big part of the story it really ruined what could have been a good domestic thriller.
October 16, 2022
This is a haunting, mind bending, heart and gut wrenching thrill ride centered around a deep, dark, woman’s fear.
While the novel is narrated mostly by Hannah in “then” and “now” chapters, you also get a glimpse of her husband Carter narrating a few chapters as well.
Hannah and Carter are in a marriage filled with love. A house they are waiting to become a home as they desperately are trying to have a baby. Unfortunately, all efforts natural and medical have failed and now they are stuck in the adoption loop, waiting for that day when they will be matched and can finally start their perfect life.
Like all marriages, though they proffer to be truthful, both parties are hiding deep secrets and lies. Lies that tend to catch up to you.
A pop star is found murdered and it’s all over the news. Hannah has secrets about him and her past but she’s trying desperately to remain normal while wildly spinning out of control.
There’s a phone call. They’ve been matched to adopt a beautiful baby girl in seven days. Seven days is a long time for your demons to come for you.
Looking at issues such as rape and violence against women, as well as the struggle of infertility to both the woman and man individually as well as in their partnership, and addressing the biggest question of what all would YOU do to become a parent. What lies would you hide? Could you kill someone?
The twists and turns will have you racing to the shocking ending.
Well written and well researched with a big dose of personal experience, this is one novel you won’t want to miss on release day, Nov. 17, 2022.
Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for extending me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Happy reading my friends! 😊
While the novel is narrated mostly by Hannah in “then” and “now” chapters, you also get a glimpse of her husband Carter narrating a few chapters as well.
Hannah and Carter are in a marriage filled with love. A house they are waiting to become a home as they desperately are trying to have a baby. Unfortunately, all efforts natural and medical have failed and now they are stuck in the adoption loop, waiting for that day when they will be matched and can finally start their perfect life.
Like all marriages, though they proffer to be truthful, both parties are hiding deep secrets and lies. Lies that tend to catch up to you.
A pop star is found murdered and it’s all over the news. Hannah has secrets about him and her past but she’s trying desperately to remain normal while wildly spinning out of control.
There’s a phone call. They’ve been matched to adopt a beautiful baby girl in seven days. Seven days is a long time for your demons to come for you.
Looking at issues such as rape and violence against women, as well as the struggle of infertility to both the woman and man individually as well as in their partnership, and addressing the biggest question of what all would YOU do to become a parent. What lies would you hide? Could you kill someone?
The twists and turns will have you racing to the shocking ending.
Well written and well researched with a big dose of personal experience, this is one novel you won’t want to miss on release day, Nov. 17, 2022.
Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for extending me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Happy reading my friends! 😊
November 25, 2022
Loved, loved, loved this book! I couldn’t put it down! It was such an amazing read, and fairly different than the other normal reads…. What started off as an adoption turned into murder which I thought was crazy! Love the twist in it!
October 7, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for the eARC.
Unfortunately, I couldn't do this book justice; the subject of a couple going through the horror of IVF for years is sad, but not something I
I totally understand. My nerves wouldn't take it.
The mystery of the story was mildly interesting, but I didn't finish the book. Sorry!
Unfortunately, I couldn't do this book justice; the subject of a couple going through the horror of IVF for years is sad, but not something I
I totally understand. My nerves wouldn't take it.
The mystery of the story was mildly interesting, but I didn't finish the book. Sorry!
March 26, 2023
I have to say I did not finish l did not finish. It is the first book I have put down at oagr 230 as I was so bored with it. It just kept going over the same things. JESSUS help me. I'm sorry that is it can't read anymore of the same 😞
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2023
2.5* The main characters were SO ANNOYING! Ugh. I was curious to see how it all ended and talk about anticlimactic.
October 13, 2022
I love this cover (upside down house and great color scheme!) and the cover blurb! Super intriguing. I couldn't wait to read "If They Knew", and for the most part I wasn't disappointed.
Hannah and Charlie have been trying for a baby relentlessly through IVF and other means, until they finally realize it's not going to happen for them--at least not that way. They begin the adoption process, which is filled with its own set of obstacles, and fortunately they are approved for a little girl, Issy. However, Hannah can't help but feel that something is about to go wrong to prevent Issy from truly becoming theirs, and those worries soon become realized when a pop star Hannah knew in college is murdered in the idyllic English village where they live.
I really enjoyed the point of view changes in this story, from Hannah's past to present, to her husband Charlie's perspective. The POV from Hannah's past is written essentially like a diary, which really showcases her immaturity and naïveté, but I still found myself enjoying the parts where I got to learn more about her relationship with Jesse.
There were many times where Hannah or Charlie would do something and I'd have to restrain myself from screaming in my head, "Why would you do that???" Let's just say they didn't always make the smartest decisions, but at least their intentions were mostly good.
I did feel like there were some points where I had to force myself to keep reading, so I would say I wasn't quite as engaged as I'd hoped to be, but overall I did enjoy the book and I'm glad that I read it. I would give it 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks so much to Sophie Flynn, Hera Books, and NetGalley for this arc!!
Hannah and Charlie have been trying for a baby relentlessly through IVF and other means, until they finally realize it's not going to happen for them--at least not that way. They begin the adoption process, which is filled with its own set of obstacles, and fortunately they are approved for a little girl, Issy. However, Hannah can't help but feel that something is about to go wrong to prevent Issy from truly becoming theirs, and those worries soon become realized when a pop star Hannah knew in college is murdered in the idyllic English village where they live.
I really enjoyed the point of view changes in this story, from Hannah's past to present, to her husband Charlie's perspective. The POV from Hannah's past is written essentially like a diary, which really showcases her immaturity and naïveté, but I still found myself enjoying the parts where I got to learn more about her relationship with Jesse.
There were many times where Hannah or Charlie would do something and I'd have to restrain myself from screaming in my head, "Why would you do that???" Let's just say they didn't always make the smartest decisions, but at least their intentions were mostly good.
I did feel like there were some points where I had to force myself to keep reading, so I would say I wasn't quite as engaged as I'd hoped to be, but overall I did enjoy the book and I'm glad that I read it. I would give it 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks so much to Sophie Flynn, Hera Books, and NetGalley for this arc!!
April 30, 2023
Features infertility and abuse.
Hannah and Charlie are an ostensibly very happily married couple living in a picturesque village who have no secrets from each other. Their only disappointment is not having children, which they hope is about to be remedied by the arrival of their adoptive daughter Izzy.
When a global popstar arrives at an exclusive retreat nearby, Hannah assures herself it is a coincidence, even though he was her college boyfriend in New York where she studied briefly.
But Hannah hasn't told anyone what really happened to make her leave New York, and Charlie hasn't admitted to Hannah that he already knows that trouble is brewing, or that he is putting his technological skills to use much closer to home.
As events unravel, they enter into increasingly elaborate cover ups to protect their secrets and avoid losing everything.
An engaging read and great narration. Slightly drawn out ending.
Hannah and Charlie are an ostensibly very happily married couple living in a picturesque village who have no secrets from each other. Their only disappointment is not having children, which they hope is about to be remedied by the arrival of their adoptive daughter Izzy.
When a global popstar arrives at an exclusive retreat nearby, Hannah assures herself it is a coincidence, even though he was her college boyfriend in New York where she studied briefly.
But Hannah hasn't told anyone what really happened to make her leave New York, and Charlie hasn't admitted to Hannah that he already knows that trouble is brewing, or that he is putting his technological skills to use much closer to home.
As events unravel, they enter into increasingly elaborate cover ups to protect their secrets and avoid losing everything.
An engaging read and great narration. Slightly drawn out ending.
October 22, 2022
If They Knew by Sophie Flynn
Earc:Netagalley
Publisher: Hera Books
Publication Date:17th November 2022
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Hannah and Charlie are in the midst of the adoption process with 6 days to go before Issy arrives. After years of IVF not working they are looking for a ward to this new start however the past is catching up with Hannah when a former friend and famous Jesse is found dead.
Hannah hasn't told Charlie about this event in the past. What she doesn't know is Charlie has some secrets of his own.
I enjoyed the switch between past and present times so we learn about the past as we are reading through which adds more to the suspense.
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #mysteryandthriller #iftheyknew
Earc:Netagalley
Publisher: Hera Books
Publication Date:17th November 2022
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Hannah and Charlie are in the midst of the adoption process with 6 days to go before Issy arrives. After years of IVF not working they are looking for a ward to this new start however the past is catching up with Hannah when a former friend and famous Jesse is found dead.
Hannah hasn't told Charlie about this event in the past. What she doesn't know is Charlie has some secrets of his own.
I enjoyed the switch between past and present times so we learn about the past as we are reading through which adds more to the suspense.
#NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #mysteryandthriller #iftheyknew
May 31, 2023
Read Completed 5/31/23 | oh look, another thriller involving infertility, except this time it doesn’t even have anything to do with the story. Despite the fact that a lot of people deal with this topic, it’s in SO many thrillers and it’s kind of getting annoying.
This took a long time to get moving and after things were revealed, it all felt kind of pointless. I was fairly disappointed with the development. This wasn’t super thrilling and even as a story in general, there just wasn’t enough going on until over halfway through. There were some flashbacks that were 100% unnecessary and came and went and they were needed instead of being consistent.
The ending was lackluster and could have gone so many different ways. It was mostly boring in the end.
This took a long time to get moving and after things were revealed, it all felt kind of pointless. I was fairly disappointed with the development. This wasn’t super thrilling and even as a story in general, there just wasn’t enough going on until over halfway through. There were some flashbacks that were 100% unnecessary and came and went and they were needed instead of being consistent.
The ending was lackluster and could have gone so many different ways. It was mostly boring in the end.
October 15, 2022
A fantastically written psychological thriller, expertly told through the alternating narrative perspectives, with flashbacks to diary entries from the past. This novel explores the power that guilt and paranoia has, especially over a couple who are in a state of desperate waiting and longing for a child. I read this book in two sittings; eager to pick it back up after starting, and unable to put down there after. Every time I thought I had reached a conclusion, I was immediately proven wrong in the following chapter, right up until the epilogue. A satisfying conclusion that kept me hooked and guessing until the very end.
December 23, 2022
I absolutely adored this book. Not only does it capture the heartbreak and constant uncertainty of infertility and adoption (made even more touching by the author's personal note at the end), but it weaves in nearly unbearable tension that had my heart in my throat the whole time.
After years of pain, Hannah and Charlie finally have everything they've wanted in sight. In mere days, they're scheduled to take home their adopted daughter, Issy. That is, until news of a murder breaks that changes everything. Because Hannah and Charlie both have secrets that could threaten not only their adoption, but the life they've built together.
Couldn't recommend this one more!
After years of pain, Hannah and Charlie finally have everything they've wanted in sight. In mere days, they're scheduled to take home their adopted daughter, Issy. That is, until news of a murder breaks that changes everything. Because Hannah and Charlie both have secrets that could threaten not only their adoption, but the life they've built together.
Couldn't recommend this one more!
October 19, 2022
Hannah and Charlie have struggled for years with the heartbreak of infertility. After long last, they’ve been approved to adopt a darling little girl, and Issy will be coming home to complete their family in a week’s time. But then the death of someone from Hannah’s past threatens to expose old secrets and destroy the couple’s dream of becoming parents, forcing them to make impossible choices.
This is one of the most emotional thrillers I have read in quite a while! Hannah and Charlie’s longing for a child is tangible, with the author’s personal experience making the depth of their yearning all the more poignant. While certainly twisty and thrilling, the story is also a compelling exploration of how far someone will go to fulfill their dream of becoming a parent and what lengths a person will go to protect the ones they love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
This is one of the most emotional thrillers I have read in quite a while! Hannah and Charlie’s longing for a child is tangible, with the author’s personal experience making the depth of their yearning all the more poignant. While certainly twisty and thrilling, the story is also a compelling exploration of how far someone will go to fulfill their dream of becoming a parent and what lengths a person will go to protect the ones they love.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books for providing me an advance copy of this book.
January 13, 2025
Helt ok
abandoned
May 26, 2023If They Knew by Sophie Flynn
10h 28m narrated by Tamsin Kennard, 368 pages
Genre: Thriller
Featuring: Adoption, England, Celebrity Scandal, New York City, Dual Timelines
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
My rating: DNF @ 6% Ch. 5
My thoughts: 📱6% 36:39 Ch. 5 - Oh no! 🤦🏾♀️ I was doing so well this month. 😭
Why I quit: "A Completely Gripping, Twisty and Unputdownable Psychological Thriller," if I had seen this title expansion I would have skipped this book. Books that add this are always anything but. It was dull and whiney for me. I'm moving on.
Recommend to others: No, based on what I read so far.
10h 28m narrated by Tamsin Kennard, 368 pages
Genre: Thriller
Featuring: Adoption, England, Celebrity Scandal, New York City, Dual Timelines
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
My rating: DNF @ 6% Ch. 5
My thoughts: 📱6% 36:39 Ch. 5 - Oh no! 🤦🏾♀️ I was doing so well this month. 😭
Why I quit: "A Completely Gripping, Twisty and Unputdownable Psychological Thriller," if I had seen this title expansion I would have skipped this book. Books that add this are always anything but. It was dull and whiney for me. I'm moving on.
Recommend to others: No, based on what I read so far.
July 27, 2023
IDK , pop stars, r*pe, murder. Twists. Same old same old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2023
This gripping thriller took me on an exhilarating ride! The narrative cleverly unfolds through two distinct perspectives, one of which brilliantly weaves between past and present.
Hannah and Charlie are on the verge of welcoming a little girl into their lives through adoption when suddenly, Hannah's past resurfaces in a shocking manner. The murder of a renowned global pop star at a swanky neighborhood club triggers memories from her college days. Could it be the same person she once knew? As Hannah grapples with this revelation, little does she know that her husband, Charlie, also harbors hidden secrets. The night of the pop star's murder becomes a question mark, and Hannah can't help but wonder if Charlie stumbled upon certain incriminating messages. As she becomes determined to unravel the truth about her former flame's death, she hopes beyond hope that Charlie is innocent. Will their lives still follow the path they had envisioned, and will the adoption proceed as planned?
I came across some perplexing reviews for this book, and honestly, I was surprised. Some people seemed to have focused on the themes of infertility, struggling to understand the characters' emotions and choices. However, I appreciated how the author skillfully intertwined this element into the story. The book delicately navigated the complexities of adoption after facing challenges with conceiving through alternative means. It added depth and authenticity to the plot without overshadowing the thrilling elements.
The story had me completely engrossed, and I admired how the author tackled sensitive subjects with just the right touch. The suspense was masterfully maintained throughout, keeping me guessing until the final pages. Oh, that epilogue! It left me thoroughly satisfied and completed the experience on a high note.
In summary, this was an outstanding thriller that skillfully combined suspense with a poignant exploration of adoption and the human experience. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and recommend it to those seeking a riveting and thought-provoking read.
Hannah and Charlie are on the verge of welcoming a little girl into their lives through adoption when suddenly, Hannah's past resurfaces in a shocking manner. The murder of a renowned global pop star at a swanky neighborhood club triggers memories from her college days. Could it be the same person she once knew? As Hannah grapples with this revelation, little does she know that her husband, Charlie, also harbors hidden secrets. The night of the pop star's murder becomes a question mark, and Hannah can't help but wonder if Charlie stumbled upon certain incriminating messages. As she becomes determined to unravel the truth about her former flame's death, she hopes beyond hope that Charlie is innocent. Will their lives still follow the path they had envisioned, and will the adoption proceed as planned?
I came across some perplexing reviews for this book, and honestly, I was surprised. Some people seemed to have focused on the themes of infertility, struggling to understand the characters' emotions and choices. However, I appreciated how the author skillfully intertwined this element into the story. The book delicately navigated the complexities of adoption after facing challenges with conceiving through alternative means. It added depth and authenticity to the plot without overshadowing the thrilling elements.
The story had me completely engrossed, and I admired how the author tackled sensitive subjects with just the right touch. The suspense was masterfully maintained throughout, keeping me guessing until the final pages. Oh, that epilogue! It left me thoroughly satisfied and completed the experience on a high note.
In summary, this was an outstanding thriller that skillfully combined suspense with a poignant exploration of adoption and the human experience. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and recommend it to those seeking a riveting and thought-provoking read.
November 8, 2022
Sophie Flynn, you are phenomenal. An automatic instant favorite author of mine.
I have always been a huge fan of psychological thrillers so I jumped at the chance to read this one but honestly, I didn't expect that much. With the amount of books I've read over the years, it's rare that a storyline is totally new and has never been done before and the plot twists become relatively predictable, but this one kept me on my toes the entire time all the way to the epilogue.
The book follows Hannah and Charlie, the idyllic couple . They are so in love with each other and are just a few days away from finalizing the adoption process for their little girl (Issy) after many failed rounds of IVF. But then Jesse, a mysterious man from Hannah's past - and who Charlie knows absolutely nothing about - shows up dead and her whole world turns upside down. Both Hannah and Charlie turn into sneaky little detectives, trying to piece together what happened to Jesse and why 2 other people from Hannah's secret past have abruptly shown up, but they don't talk to each other at ALL about it. It's CRAZY. This picture perfect couple just throws all communication and honesty out the window.
The chapters alternate between "then" and "now", giving us the dual storyline of the current time and of Hannah's past, but some of the "now" chapters are from Charlie's point of view which really shakes things up. I love alternating timelines and alternating perspectives, so all 3 in 1 was super cool. Another thing that amazed me was the character development. Flynn knows what she's doing when it comes to the "world building" aspect of a thriller novel.
I won't say too much more in an attempt to avoid any spoilers, but trust me, this is one you're gonna want to pick up this fall.
I have always been a huge fan of psychological thrillers so I jumped at the chance to read this one but honestly, I didn't expect that much. With the amount of books I've read over the years, it's rare that a storyline is totally new and has never been done before and the plot twists become relatively predictable, but this one kept me on my toes the entire time all the way to the epilogue.
The book follows Hannah and Charlie, the idyllic couple . They are so in love with each other and are just a few days away from finalizing the adoption process for their little girl (Issy) after many failed rounds of IVF. But then Jesse, a mysterious man from Hannah's past - and who Charlie knows absolutely nothing about - shows up dead and her whole world turns upside down. Both Hannah and Charlie turn into sneaky little detectives, trying to piece together what happened to Jesse and why 2 other people from Hannah's secret past have abruptly shown up, but they don't talk to each other at ALL about it. It's CRAZY. This picture perfect couple just throws all communication and honesty out the window.
The chapters alternate between "then" and "now", giving us the dual storyline of the current time and of Hannah's past, but some of the "now" chapters are from Charlie's point of view which really shakes things up. I love alternating timelines and alternating perspectives, so all 3 in 1 was super cool. Another thing that amazed me was the character development. Flynn knows what she's doing when it comes to the "world building" aspect of a thriller novel.
I won't say too much more in an attempt to avoid any spoilers, but trust me, this is one you're gonna want to pick up this fall.
November 23, 2022
If They Knew is available now in eBook
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review
Meet the Author: Sophie Flynn is a Cotswolds based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Alongside writing, Sophie is the Head of Marketing at Jericho Writers. When not writing, Sophie can be mostly found on muddy walks with her husband and rescue dog or disappearing to Cornwall whenever possible.
Synopsis: How many bad things will a good person do to hold onto what they love? Hannah and Charlie struggle with infertility. Just a few weeks away from closing the adoption process, a murder unfolds in the area. Could past secrets be behind these events? Will the past stay in the past or will the past take away all good from the couple's future?
Reader’s Thoughts: I am a “judge the book by its cover” kind of gal and this one had me sold! Not only did I love the cover, I loved the story line. If They Knew was full of wonderful characters and suspenseful moments. Being told from both perspectives of Hannah and Charlie, I was kept on the edge of my seat, constantly wanting more, frantically flipping pages up until the very end. Flynn had me riding the emotional roller coaster right along with Hannah and Charlie. The story line was believable and well paced, not too short or long in length. I will definitely be on the lookout for other novels written by Sophie Flynn.
Thank you, @NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy. In no way has that influenced my voluntary review.
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review
Meet the Author: Sophie Flynn is a Cotswolds based psychological thriller author with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes. Alongside writing, Sophie is the Head of Marketing at Jericho Writers. When not writing, Sophie can be mostly found on muddy walks with her husband and rescue dog or disappearing to Cornwall whenever possible.
Synopsis: How many bad things will a good person do to hold onto what they love? Hannah and Charlie struggle with infertility. Just a few weeks away from closing the adoption process, a murder unfolds in the area. Could past secrets be behind these events? Will the past stay in the past or will the past take away all good from the couple's future?
Reader’s Thoughts: I am a “judge the book by its cover” kind of gal and this one had me sold! Not only did I love the cover, I loved the story line. If They Knew was full of wonderful characters and suspenseful moments. Being told from both perspectives of Hannah and Charlie, I was kept on the edge of my seat, constantly wanting more, frantically flipping pages up until the very end. Flynn had me riding the emotional roller coaster right along with Hannah and Charlie. The story line was believable and well paced, not too short or long in length. I will definitely be on the lookout for other novels written by Sophie Flynn.
Thank you, @NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy. In no way has that influenced my voluntary review.
October 11, 2022
This thriller was great! It’s told from two perspectives but one has a then and now side.
Hannah and Charlie are a week away from adopting a little girl when out of nowhere Hannah’s past comes roaring its ugly head. A global pop star is murdered in the upscale club of the neighborhood and Hannah is shocked, it couldn’t be the same guy she knew from college? Hannah doesn’t realize Charlie is also keeping secrets and she has no idea where he was the night the pop star was murdered. Surely he couldn’t have found the messages? Hannah is determined to figure out what happened to her old flame, and hopes her husband had nothing to do with it. Will everything be all right and the adoption go through as planned?
I read some reviews on this one and I couldn’t believe it! People were rating it down because they couldn’t comprehend the pain of and struggle of infertility - um I don’t understand killing someone but I still read the books! This one was well done and it was more of an adoption story at the end of failure to conceive via alternative methods. The story was great and I liked how the author touched on the topics enough to get you interested. This was a solid thriller and it kept me guessing until the end - I particularly liked the epilogue!
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher, @hera_books, for my gifted copy in exchange for this honest review. Make sure to put this one on your radar because November 17th will be here before you know it!
Hannah and Charlie are a week away from adopting a little girl when out of nowhere Hannah’s past comes roaring its ugly head. A global pop star is murdered in the upscale club of the neighborhood and Hannah is shocked, it couldn’t be the same guy she knew from college? Hannah doesn’t realize Charlie is also keeping secrets and she has no idea where he was the night the pop star was murdered. Surely he couldn’t have found the messages? Hannah is determined to figure out what happened to her old flame, and hopes her husband had nothing to do with it. Will everything be all right and the adoption go through as planned?
I read some reviews on this one and I couldn’t believe it! People were rating it down because they couldn’t comprehend the pain of and struggle of infertility - um I don’t understand killing someone but I still read the books! This one was well done and it was more of an adoption story at the end of failure to conceive via alternative methods. The story was great and I liked how the author touched on the topics enough to get you interested. This was a solid thriller and it kept me guessing until the end - I particularly liked the epilogue!
Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher, @hera_books, for my gifted copy in exchange for this honest review. Make sure to put this one on your radar because November 17th will be here before you know it!
May 25, 2023
Do you ever look at the tagline for a book and just marvel at the skill of the copywriter?
The three small images on the right are from the ad campaign for Sophie Flynn’s domestic noir If They Knew.
Those words just made me request the audioARC from NetGalley:
“They were the perfect couple. Until the body was found.”
“Whose body?” I thought. “And what even is ‘the perfect couple’ anyway?”
Spoiler alert: Hannah and Charlie are anything but perfect. Although they are going through a process that often makes couples feel the need to appear perfect - adopting a little girl.
An exploration of trauma and its impact on the memory and sense of identity, in Hannah we have a protagonist who is able to be hugely empathetic and scarily disassociated as the situation demands. Working for a DV charity she knows all the theories around rape and male violence but has managed to avoid admitting to herself that she was once in a relationship with someone who exercised coercive control and went on to do terrible things to her and to other women.
If you’ve ever wondered how people process truly horrific things and go on to have a seemingly ordinary life afterwards, this book may well be for you.
Three Word Review: trauma begets trauma.
The three small images on the right are from the ad campaign for Sophie Flynn’s domestic noir If They Knew.
Those words just made me request the audioARC from NetGalley:
“They were the perfect couple. Until the body was found.”
“Whose body?” I thought. “And what even is ‘the perfect couple’ anyway?”
Spoiler alert: Hannah and Charlie are anything but perfect. Although they are going through a process that often makes couples feel the need to appear perfect - adopting a little girl.
An exploration of trauma and its impact on the memory and sense of identity, in Hannah we have a protagonist who is able to be hugely empathetic and scarily disassociated as the situation demands. Working for a DV charity she knows all the theories around rape and male violence but has managed to avoid admitting to herself that she was once in a relationship with someone who exercised coercive control and went on to do terrible things to her and to other women.
If you’ve ever wondered how people process truly horrific things and go on to have a seemingly ordinary life afterwards, this book may well be for you.
Three Word Review: trauma begets trauma.
October 18, 2022
Hannah and Charlie are desperate to have a baby, and after several rounds of IVF, their dreams of adopting a child are about to come true with baby Issy due to join the family. They have had their hearts set on being parents and are praying nothing will come along at the last minute to hijack their family plans. Then a news story saying pop star and general bad boy Jesse has been found dead in a members' club - and a long hidden truth threatens to spill out to ruin everything that Hannah and Charlie have worked for.
I was gripped by the story telling, the longing for a child was so strong. I know from reading Sophie's acknowledgements that this comes from personal experience, so firstly, huge congratulations for making something so personal and emotional into such a riveting story for others to share and be entertained by. Their present day storyline was mixed with flashbacks to Hannah's time in New York when she first met Jesse - and then the two storylines come together into a compelling action packed finale, with twists and turns from all angles.
Thanks to Sophie Flynn, Hera Books and Netgalley for the chance to read it, a solid 4 stars from me
I was gripped by the story telling, the longing for a child was so strong. I know from reading Sophie's acknowledgements that this comes from personal experience, so firstly, huge congratulations for making something so personal and emotional into such a riveting story for others to share and be entertained by. Their present day storyline was mixed with flashbacks to Hannah's time in New York when she first met Jesse - and then the two storylines come together into a compelling action packed finale, with twists and turns from all angles.
Thanks to Sophie Flynn, Hera Books and Netgalley for the chance to read it, a solid 4 stars from me
November 17, 2022
‘𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙.’
I found Sophie Flynn earlier in the year when I read Keep Them Close (and really enjoyed it!) - so I was so excited to see she’d got a new release coming out. It definitely hit the spot and I think I actually loved this one even more. This one was a very heart wrenching story about infertility, adoption and the real lengths we go to, to get what we want - to get that happy ending.
I have to applaud Flynn on her bravery for baring her soul with writing about the infertility struggles. It was completely raw and real, you really felt everything - coming from a place of real life for her, made the writing have that much more depth and realism about it.
The plot moves from present to past flashbacks, as well as alternative POV’s from Hannah’s husband, Charlie. It really added to the suspense and made it really fast paced and exciting to read. The additional POV with the flashbacks had you constantly questioning everything and needing to know what happens next.
I liked the twists and the constant guessing throughout. Sometimes I wanted to scream at both Hannah and Charlie like ‘WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?’ 😂 But I also felt like in those moments you could feel their desperation and the longing for a baby of their own, that they would literally do anything to achieve.
This book was raw and heart wrenching, whilst being suspenseful and twisty - a really interesting mix that had me hooked. I would definitely recommend but please check CW’s if you are affected by any of the previous bits I’ve mentioned. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.
~
Thank you to @netgalley @sophieflynnauthor and @hera_books for this ARC ❤️
~
#IfTheyKnew #NetGalley #ARCReview #2022Release #SophieFlynn #IfTheyKnewSophieFlynn #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalThriller
I found Sophie Flynn earlier in the year when I read Keep Them Close (and really enjoyed it!) - so I was so excited to see she’d got a new release coming out. It definitely hit the spot and I think I actually loved this one even more. This one was a very heart wrenching story about infertility, adoption and the real lengths we go to, to get what we want - to get that happy ending.
I have to applaud Flynn on her bravery for baring her soul with writing about the infertility struggles. It was completely raw and real, you really felt everything - coming from a place of real life for her, made the writing have that much more depth and realism about it.
The plot moves from present to past flashbacks, as well as alternative POV’s from Hannah’s husband, Charlie. It really added to the suspense and made it really fast paced and exciting to read. The additional POV with the flashbacks had you constantly questioning everything and needing to know what happens next.
I liked the twists and the constant guessing throughout. Sometimes I wanted to scream at both Hannah and Charlie like ‘WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?’ 😂 But I also felt like in those moments you could feel their desperation and the longing for a baby of their own, that they would literally do anything to achieve.
This book was raw and heart wrenching, whilst being suspenseful and twisty - a really interesting mix that had me hooked. I would definitely recommend but please check CW’s if you are affected by any of the previous bits I’ve mentioned. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next from this author.
~
Thank you to @netgalley @sophieflynnauthor and @hera_books for this ARC ❤️
~
#IfTheyKnew #NetGalley #ARCReview #2022Release #SophieFlynn #IfTheyKnewSophieFlynn #DomesticThriller #PsychologicalThriller
April 29, 2023
Thanks NetGalley, Sophie Flynn and publisher for the audiobook copy of If They Knew. It was a very intriguing psychological thriller.
Hannah and Charlie are a happily married couple struggling with infertility. They begin the adoption process and find themselves about to be parents to a little girl named Izzy.
As this happens a famous musician is jfound murdered. This shocks Hannah because she knew him, loved him in college. Trying to stay under the radar as to not affect their adoption process by being affiliated with a murder Hannah begins to look into the death when she is informed that he had been trying to contact her.
To a couple that doesn’t have secrets- Hannah secretly investigates and then Charlie begins to investigate. The present becomes entangled with the past and Hannah finds herself more confused as her memory is limited.
What I liked about this book was how the past event is pivotal in the present but we don’t entirely know what happened until the end. The characters unravel pieces. And Hannah and Charlie go through bizarre coverups. It was a well paced book.
Hannah and Charlie are a happily married couple struggling with infertility. They begin the adoption process and find themselves about to be parents to a little girl named Izzy.
As this happens a famous musician is jfound murdered. This shocks Hannah because she knew him, loved him in college. Trying to stay under the radar as to not affect their adoption process by being affiliated with a murder Hannah begins to look into the death when she is informed that he had been trying to contact her.
To a couple that doesn’t have secrets- Hannah secretly investigates and then Charlie begins to investigate. The present becomes entangled with the past and Hannah finds herself more confused as her memory is limited.
What I liked about this book was how the past event is pivotal in the present but we don’t entirely know what happened until the end. The characters unravel pieces. And Hannah and Charlie go through bizarre coverups. It was a well paced book.
October 14, 2022
This book really surprised me, in a positive way! There is a definite trigger warning for infertility though - if that’s a trigger for you, I don’t recommend this book. That being said, this book portrays a dilemma between a husband and wife during the adoption process, where the wife’s past could cause them to lose their potential child. She tries to shield her husband from her past, but her husband finds out and tries to protect her as well.
I really felt the love between the two main characters. I was also fascinated and drawn into Haydee’s character. At about 75% through the book, I was kind of let down by what I perceived as plot holes, but by the end, everything mostly made sense. I was still left with a couple of questions - there is potential for a sequel here.
Despite that, I could not put this down and read it in under a day! I enjoyed the author’s writing style and enjoyed the characters and plot.
4.5/5 stars ⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really felt the love between the two main characters. I was also fascinated and drawn into Haydee’s character. At about 75% through the book, I was kind of let down by what I perceived as plot holes, but by the end, everything mostly made sense. I was still left with a couple of questions - there is potential for a sequel here.
Despite that, I could not put this down and read it in under a day! I enjoyed the author’s writing style and enjoyed the characters and plot.
4.5/5 stars ⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 15, 2023
I have enjoyed Sophie Flynn’s previous books and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. This was a very poignant story covering infertility and adoption. We meet Hannah and Charlie who after struggling with unsuccessful IVF find that they have been accepted to adopt two year old Isabelle. A body of a well known pop star, Jesse Carter, who had a bad reputation has been found at a private members club near their home. Hannah, unbeknown to Charlie, met Jesse years ago in New York and they had a relationship but events happened then that she has kept secret all these years. She is terrified that if all this is revealed it could put their adoption under threat. But what she doesn’t realise is that Charlie has been keeping secrets from her too. I felt the pain of Hannah and Charlie all the way through the book. This is a very emotional thriller with likeable characters , plenty of tension and twists and turns making it a book you won’t be able to put down.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and re w this book,
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and re w this book,
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