How to Kill with Kindness

by S.R. Masters

'Captivating, unsettling and filled with gasp-inducing shocks… plunges you into a fascinating and disturbing community’ Sunday Times bestseller, B P Walter

The brand new psychological thriller for fans of T.M. Logan, Gillian McAllister and Lisa Jewell.

‘A sinister and unsettling psychological thriller with echoes of Ira Levin at his best. I loved it.’ Michael Wood, bestselling author of the Matilda Darke series

***

The village of Nether Appleford calls itself ‘England’s Kindest Village’. Overseen by the Kindness Committee, this close-knit community strives to live their lives with kindness at the heart of everything they do.

For Tessa and Andy, this sounds like the perfect escape. An opportunity to settle down and move on from a past that haunts them.

But what if the kindest thing you could do meant hurting someone? Then what would you do?

***

'Eerie from the outset, this surprising story grows darker and chillier with each page. A Stepford vibe elevates a thriller that entertains while posing fascinating questions about our humanity.' Jo Furniss, author of Dead Mile

Genres: Thriller

Audible Audio

First published April 30, 2024

About the author

S R Masters grew up around Birmingham in the UK and lives in Oxford with his wife and children. His award winning short fiction and quirky novels have been published internationally. Labelled as "a writer to watch" by Publishers Weekly, his books include THE TRIAL (HarperCollins), THE KILLER YOU KNOW (Sphere) and HOW TO KILL WITH KINDNESS (HarperCollins).

His next book is a roller coaster thriller called THE DROP, out with HarperCollins (UK) and Sourcebooks (US) in 2026.

Reviews

[Ceecee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

All that glitters is not gold.

Nether Appleford claims that it is “ England’s kindest village” and there’s even a kindness committee to oversee the close knit community, who strive to just be kind to everyone. It’s a picture book, chocolate box village, with just fifty thatched roof cottages all with manicured. lawns. It’s maybe a bit Stepford Wives thinks Tessa as she and Andy look around. Despite that, they are drawn to the place and its ‘Kindness Tree’. They apply to move in and are accepted but things are not quite as they seem on the surface as the couple will soon discover. Perhaps it might have been wise to recall that sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. The story is principally told by Tessa and Jayden a teenage resident.

I’m on outlier island with this one, but first of all, the positives. It definitely has a Stepford Wives feel at the beginning and there are some warning shots across the boughs pretty quickly but looks can be very deceptive. Tessa picks up on these quickly, but less so Andy but that’s another story. It does have creepy moments, and those seem even more creepy given the ethos of the place. As for the residents, the less said about them the better as Tessa makes some startling discoveries. There’s manipulative if not deadly behaviour and a few bombshells besides. There are some inserts between the two points of views that are on the unhinged and chilling scale though I do figure out the author of those. It definitely enters bonkers territory and the far-fetched kind as it near the end.

However, if it is meant to be humorous, then it passes me by as it’s just too weird and strange for me to enjoy it and it becomes too much like hard work. It’s also very sweary and I lose count of the F bombs, though in one very short chapter there are ten which becomes very wearing. It’s way too long at 465 pages – seriously? It gets repetitive too which also adds to the laborious nature of the read.

Other readers like this considerably more than I do so be sure to check those reviews out, but I’m sorry to say that this one is simply not for me. Not every book suits every reader.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am shocked. This book has a slow start, but halfway through, it truly picks up! I'm glad I stuck it out as the last half was amazing! There were so many twists I didn't expect. There are so many shocking moments. I was on the edge of my seat and dying to know what was going to happen next! Jayden was truly my favorite character. Tessa was great as well! I just loved all of it, and the ending was truly a perfect way to wrap it all up! It's truly worth pushing through as stuff truly starts popping off and gets wild!

I received this ARC from NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Heathers_readss · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to kill with kindness literally starts with a bang. The first chapter sets the disturbing tone for the book, full of shocking dialogue and scenes that leave the reader thinking ‘did that really just happen?!’

From there we switch characters but it leaves you with the impression that all is in fact NOT well and things won’t at all be what they seem.

You spend the next while waiting for the other shoe to drop and for chaos to ensue, there is definitely something very wrong with this small village and the community that lives within.

This was very much a unique read with an interesting plot and I was very intrigued to see where the author was going with the story.

The ending was as chaotic as expected and things definitely went out with a bang. I definitely enjoyed the conclusion in the last chapter which left things on a happy note. One thing that does irk me in the book is how our FMC still talks (kindly) to a specific someone, if I was in her situation I would be petty and angry until my dying breath 😂😂😂

Thank you to NetGalley, S. R. Masters, Harper Collin’s UK and One More Chapter for this ARC

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those oddly fascinating novels that keeps you in a labyrinth until the bitter end! Tessa and Andy move to Nether Appleford as it's a quaint village that promises kindness to all inhabitants; they discover there is actually a Kindness Tree where the locals thank each other by hanging notes from its branches. Initially they are impressed but as they meet each of the villagers they notice there are so many anomalies and odd things happening that it becomes clear nothing is as it appears! It's such a weird and wonderful look at a community that believes it's doing good, when in actuality it's doing the opposite. Hang on for the ride of your life1
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, How to Kill with Kindness, by S. R. Masters, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. England's Kindest Village, Nether Appleford, has two new villagers Tessa and Andy. I would not describe Tessa and Andy as kind though. What a read, I did not care for the language though, but it was a page turner.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Next!
What on earth was that? A new author to me and it looked intriguing, but before i finished the first chapter. I had my doubts. Very unlikeable characters, weird story line and the chapters are all over the place, Quite a bit of swearing in there too,
I don't DNF many books, think its 2 maybe 3 years since last time. Reading the other reviews I gather i am in the minority, but this is not for me. I almost gave up at 5%, but struggled onto 15%,

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Louise Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Tessa and Andy are having a tough time. There last attempt at IVF has just failed, they need to make a change. Ona. Random road trip they come across a village, a village with a kindness committee. Against the odds, a house becomes available and they move there. Everything starts to unravel. Can everyone really be as kind as they say.

This one was nearly a dnf. It started really slowly and I worried it was going to be sickly sweet and all lovely. How wrong I was. Once the story really got going it was exciting with twists galore. I had no idea who could actually be trusted and desperately turned the pages trying to get to the bottom of things or to prove my theories correct. None were! The tale is told from the point of view of Tessa and at points I wondered if she was imagining it all. Other chapters were told by a mysterious other character. The puppet master of the tale. The identity of this person is revealed very late on, but their ramblings about Saints etc are hilarious confusing, definitely reveal a lot. M


Highly recommend!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this highly original and a unique masterpiece. The central theme is kindness and there are two unnamed characters in the opening chapter who the reader has the puzzle of identifying. It has a fairytale quality which is intriguing and gripping, but also has a touch of menace and darkness.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.

[Bonita Soley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is all in the perception, you can spin anything to mean what you want it to mean. Takes killing you with kindness to a new and almost claustrophobic level, like zealots that see death as a reward. Somehow kept humming "Cruel to be Kind" as I was reading! Solid mystery with a cult-like feel.

[DaN McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masters does it again, ramping up the creepy with each chapter and taking his premise to interesting places. This book made me glad I don’t live in a small village and had some interesting thoughts about kindness. Plus, I personally loved the realistic language (a few reviewers on here seemed troubled by the swearing). It would have felt even more eerie in Nether Appleford if the locals never swore!

I wish books had soundtracks though as I’d love to hear Jayden’s two string ukulele version of Green Day’s ‘Brain Stew’ in real life!

[S.R. Masters]

Thank you so much for reading/discovering my third novel, How to Kill with Kindness.

You can find my other two novels, The Trial and The Killer You Know, here on Goodreads if you like quirky thrillers. Also you can follow me here, or come to my website (http://www.sr-masters.com) to sign up to my mailing list, if you'd like to know about future books.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy and Tessa had been together for 10 years she was a musician he was an electrician and they had been trying to have a baby but we’re on the last cycle of Invetro and as far as Tess was concerned it would be their last. On a weekend out they ran across a village proclaim to be the nicest village in England it was called nether Appleford Manor. There was so intrigued they stopped to investigate and even played a Halloween scavenger game. While walking through the village they ran across a yew tree with hearts written by villagers thanking other residents for the kindnesses they extended to the person writing said heart. Their first inclination was to make fun of the village but the more Tessa thought about the whole kindness thing the more she wanted in and even inquired as to how they could live there and filled out an application despite Andy’s hesitancy. When they get invited to see a cottage Tessa cannot believe it even has a music studio and she is over the moon especially when she learns the rent is going to be half of what they were paying in London. They are shocked when the day they move in people are there with moving gifts and a helping hand to move them in they learn on Sundays instead of church they have a kindness meeting and they even invite Tessa to give one something she declines but when they ask is she may want to make some music for a computer that will tell visitors about the lovely village . She hesitates at first and seeing the way the board is looking at her she says she will do it and even give them mates rates something the kindness board seems to be shocked at. Tessa told Andy if he moved to the village with her she would try to be better and not so negative but it seems Andy is the one who is going all Lynn while Tess doesn’t agree to anything the village has to offer except the house with the lower rent. Soon though Tessa is noticing Andy is going every night doing jobs for those in the village and now that she is freelancing and has quit her job she spends all her time at home and starts to notice strange things she even gets a recording of someone in her music room saying in a whisper I’ll kill her and this is when she sees how local cop Leo seems to work while acting like he is on the side of the 15-year-old Jaden who he believes did it he is really in Tessa‘s opinion using bullying tactics until the boy agrees yes he did it even though Tessa doesn’t believe it. That is just the beginning of Tessa‘s first impression the village of kindness may not be that kind after all but everything she wants to use as proof could go either way. I don’t want to say much more because this book is not only bonkers but it is an awesome book. I did think it was very long, but then again I don’t know what you could’ve cut out. I did think in the beginning Tessa was quite reluctant to help out those in a village she said she was moving to to be more kinder. I mean she was paying half the amount in rent in yet everything they said they were doing she wanted nothing to do with it. More than once I thought her attitude was strange but after one and a dead my sympathies were completely with a Earth I absolutely loved the ending and I highly recommend this book. If you love a good smart book with subplots that look like there’s no way they’ll all be put together then you definitely need to read this book it is so good! I want to thank harperCollins UK and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Suesyn Zellmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book, you can’t help making a comparison to The Stepford Wives. A seemingly picture-perfect town that hides ugly secrets beneath its beauty. Tessa and her partner Andy make a slightly impulsive decision to move there for a change of pace after coming upon the village one day. They like the vibe and are looking for a fresh start, so they apply for a rare open property. After an unsettling interview with the Kindness Committee, they are approved and move in shortly afterward. The Kindness Committee pretty much runs the town, promoting their values, and encouraging participation from the residents. It’s just as weird as it sounds and it just gets weirder.

You know where this is headed – it starts out wonderful but there are little signs that everything’s not as it seems. Because of the reduced rent Tessa and Andy are offered, they’re expected to offer their assistance for free based on their particular skills. The few residents that aren’t as engaged and proactive are seen as outsiders and Tessa is encouraged not to spend time with them. It becomes clear to Tessa that if you don’t follow the rules of doing what they want you to do, then there are consequences. Terrifying consequences in some cases.

And when she turns to Andy for support, he surprises her by disagreeing and blowing off her doubts as ‘her typical cynicism.’ The village is widening the gaps in their relationship and she begins wondering if England’s Kindest Village is going to become her biggest regret.

I enjoyed the book, waiting to see how bad things were going to get, and wasn’t surprised by how far the villagers would go. There are some good surprises thrown in, others you will see coming. What I didn’t like was how such a seemingly close and secure relationship like Tessa and Andy’s unraveled so quickly based on the manipulations of others. That’s not a spoiler, it’s plainly obvious from the start. They’re not your typical stagnant married couple that’s grown apart. They’re the type that would have both come to the same realization and gotten the heck out of Dodge while they still could. Otherwise, it’s a fun story for anyone, especially fans of the old cliché that the grass is always greener, etc. This book will change your mind right quick!

[Honestmamreader]

Nether Appleford is hailed as England's Kindest Village. This is what the residents try to hammer home to everyone. It's such a nice place where everyone is kind to everyone. JUST BE KIND. There's a yew tree where people hang hearts stating what nice things people have done. Oh, what a lovely nice place to live. Mmmm, yeah, right, think again. I knew this place was dodgy as soon as Tessa and Andy decided to move there and had an interview with the Kindness committee. Red flags people, run quick.

The mysterious narrative interspersed in the story was good. And every time, I thought I'd worked out who the narrator was. S R Masters hoodwinked me again.
The whole undertone of darkness and what was really going on kept me on my toes with the story. And I really enjoyed the whole process. My only qualm is bringing in the Benson Boys 🤔 personally. I would have liked to keep the story linked to the residents of Nether Appleford. The narrator was specific in their choosings. But, so be it.

It's a great read, and I'll definitely read some more from this author.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nether Appleford is England’s kindest village, run by a kindness committee, where just be kind is the community motto. But what is kindness and what if being cruel to be kind is the kindest thing?

When I read the storyline for this one I thought it sounded really intriguing so was grateful to get an early copy. After reading I can say I was right to be intrigued. The story takes a unique spin on the cult thriller and really makes you question what the meaning of kindness is, which would be good for a book club discussion. The story is told in varying viewpoints, with Tessa being the central character. There were a large number of characters but it was never confusing and I really enjoyed the crazy bunch of character’s views and personalities - even if some of them made me angry at times.

The overall story was suspenseful and dark in places, with a very clever concept. There are twists and turns and I never knew who to fully trust. There are some far fetched moments but these helped to keep the story entertaining. The ending was slightly sudden, although I was happy with how it turned out. S.R. Masters is a new author for me but after reading this I will definitely be looking at his other books, recommending and reading new ones that come out. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.

[Ari Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the storyline of this book was pretty interesting. It had some mystery and some good themes.

Mostly, this book moved really slow for me. I think it could have done without at least 25% of the content. It felt like it dragged on forever.

Part of what made this book drag so much was that there were so many side characters and subplots, I felt it was difficult to follow and a lot of it felt irrelevant to the main plot. It was convoluted and made me lose interest.

At baseline, this is an interesting thriller. I just think it got a little mucked up for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins One More Chapter for the gifted copy of this book!

[Judy Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Kill with Kindness is an intriguing read , dark and yet compelling that I did not want to put the book down.

Twists and turns keep the pages turning.

Tessa and Andy fall in love with the village of Nether Appleford that call's itself England's kindest village.

Who wouldn't want to be part of that concept.

When things sound too good to be true they often are .

Once Tessa and Andy move to the kindest village there is an undercurrent of intrigue, doubt and mystery.

I didn't know who to trust but I thought I knew and I was totally wrong.

S. R. Masters has written a very clever diabolical story and I certainly will check out his other books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for the privilege of reading and reviewing How to Kill with Kindness.

[Lyn Lall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripper

[Davina Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly the most mental thing i have read! The twists were unpredictable and leaves your mind in a state of confusion. I absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend it.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well! I don't know what to say about this book. I was really looking forward to it after reading the blurb however after getting 30% of the way through I keep looking for reasons to do anything but continue reading. From the start it is obvious the village has the Stepford Wives vibe with a darker undertone and despite Andy and Tessa's efforts and desire to fit in she at least is not going to however hard she tries. So far so good. However I think my difficulties stem from the very choppy nature of the narrative and the characters all of whom are totally obnoxious. I'm afraid this book is not one for me although I'm sure other readers will disagree.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Rachael Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not really possible to read a SR Masters book that is less than 5 stars in my opinion. In this book a young couple discover that the 'kindest village' they have moved to, which is set locally (another reason for liking it) is full of people who actually aren't kind at all. At least one of those on the 'kindness committee' is an evil mastermind who enjoys manipulating others for their own power plays.

There is a lot to keep track of in this book and a lot of names to remember, and I had to read some pages several times but it didn't bother me as the whole book was a total page turner. The story was horrifying and some of the events that occurred were absolutely cringe-worthy. I don't want to go into it too much in case of spoilers but I like how SR Masters tackles complex social issues and psychological themes and does it with a lot of humour too. Things are never quite as they seem in this book or in any of the others I've read by this author.

I am really glad that he avoided the cliche of the couple getting back into a bad relationship and realising that everything was fine, especially with a baby on the way. Jayden was definitely my favourite character and I'm glad things started to look up for him by the end too. If I have a criticism it would be that I wished some of the other main committee members plus the dreadful pearl clutching Olivia would have had a bit more payback for the awful way they treated Tess and the others!



I thought the book excerpts from the main villain were done really well. It kept me guessing and I hadn't guessed who it was by the time it was revealed.

Thanks to my library for a copy of the book.

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the blurb on how to Kill with Kindness by S.R. Masters and was very keen to read the book.

Tessa and Andy stumble upon the picture postcard village of Nether Appleford on a day out. They wander around the village, dine at the local pub and marvel at how the locals seem so content. They really can see why the village calls itself ’England’s Kindest Village’.

In contrast their life in London is fraught, money is tight, there have been disappointments. So, when the opportunity arises for them to move to Nether Appleford, they seize it with both hands. It’s a fresh beginning that could save them. However, all that glistens is not always gold……

The story chronicles Tessa’s and Andy’s time in the village and it’s is spliced with a back story of the founder of the village and they arrived at the rules for the village.

I thought it was a really interesting read. It made me think about the morality of being good and how people justify their actions in relation to being good e.g. for the greater good, etc.

I was drawn to Tessa as a character because I suspect my journey in the village would have been like hers! I am naturally suspicious and sometimes ask too many questions!

Just as an aside, I ended up singing to myself Nick Lowe's lyrics "Cruel to be kind" around the house after reading this book!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Harper Collins/One More Chapter, for making an e-ARC available to me to read in exchange for a fair and honest review. I can’t wait to read more books by S.R. Masters.

[Bernice Brooks Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

How to Kill with Kindness
By S.R. Masters

“Welcome to the kindest village in the country. If you follow their rules, you'll be ok. If you don't, they'll make you pay...”
“ The village of Nether Appleford calls itself 'England's Kindest Village'Overseen by the Kindness Committee, this close-knit community strives to live their lives with kindness at the heart of everything they do. Just Be Kind. It's as simple as that. But what is kindness? Is it doing something to help someone else? Is it giving up your time to help your community? Or, perhaps it's something a lot less obvious... What if the kindest thing you could do meant hurting someone? Then what would you do?”
Tessa and Andy are drawn to this community. It definitely gives Stepford Wives. Something just really seems off. I really was excited to get into this story I imagined a Stepford Wives meets Desperate Housewives situation. I did not get that level of excitement. There were some interesting moments and some creepy things happening. But the book seemed a little bit long. There are some surprising moments but I did feel like some parts were a little dull. Just my opinion some people might enjoy slower paced thriller.
This was my first book from this author. I would try to read something else.

Thank you to NetGalley, and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the arc in return for an honest review.

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

How To Kill With Kindness is a book with a slow start but stick with it as it picks up to be a dark twisty read.
The book is set in Nether Appleford, Englands kindest village!? Tessa and Andy have unexpectedly been accepted into this village, a village where everyone is kind, the owner gives the, a very low rent on their cottage, there is tree in the middle of the green that people hang hearts on saying what kind things other villagers have done, but don’t be sapped in this is the exact opposite of kindest village. Tessa’s life goes downhill almost as soon as she arrives in the village whereas her husband Andy has a fabulous time and is loved by everyone. No matter what Tessa tries it’s always the wrong thing, then she starts to suspect something isn’t quite right and the more she looks the more she finds and the more twisted things become including her life.
This was a book I enjoyed, I did feel there were parts that could have been chopped as it is quite a long book. I liked Tessa and rooted for her, the storyline was very twisty and kept me thinking, I hadn’t guessed who the person was who has an anonymous chapter throughout the book so this was a bonus.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com

A young couple who are having a tough time of it stumble upon a quaint Oxfordshire village. The village, Nether Appleford, claims to be the kindest village in England, with an elected Kindness Committee ensuring the village lives up to its high standards. The committee also reviews all applications from potential new residents and approves those they think will add to their community. After several unsuccessful rounds of IVF Tessa and Andy know they need to make a big change in their lives, so they submit an application to the committee and ask to move to Nether Appleford. They’re shocked when their application is accepted and hastily leave London, and hopefully their heartache, behind. But life in their new village isn’t quite as Tessa expected. Andy seems to have made a good name for himself. Tessa, not so much. Life in Nether Appleford isn’t the tranquil, picturesque dream come true Tessa had hoped for. So much so, that it could become her worst nightmare…

How to Kill with Kindness is the third book I’ve read by S.R. Masters. I enjoyed the author’s first two books but this dark and twisted tale is definitely my favourite! It’s full of unexpected twists and turns. There’s a wonderful sense of menace running through the narrative as things begin to spiral out of control and I couldn’t look away! I just had to keep reading to find out what awful thing was going to befall our protagonist next. It really is one thing after another for poor Tessa. She’s not the most likeable of characters (no one in this book is!) but I did like how tough she was. The first half of the novel is a little slower in pace but stick with it because things really ramp up in the second half. All in all, a compelling, compulsive thriller that I couldn’t get enough of. As a resident of Oxfordshire I completely believed the setting. I’m pretty sure we have a few strange, little (although hopefully not as deadly!) villages hidden away somewhere in the county! Intriguing, engrossing and very difficult to put down for any length of time. Recommended.

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book, somewhat different to a usual thriller and even after finishing it I'm not sure whether I enjoyed it or not. It begins with two children doing what they consider is an act of kindness, but it wouldn't be regarded as such by most people. The action then switches to new characters and we have Tessa and Andy and the story of how they move to the village of Nether Appleford. At first everything appears wonderful, they have a new start and a cheap cottage to rent and the villagers are welcoming, but this soon breaks down and more ominous signs appear as Tessa finds the kindness committee isn't all it is supposed to be.
I have to say I found the beginning of the book a bit slow and I really didn't warm to many of the characters, not even Kath or Jayden. I was intrigued to read on though and see where the author would take it, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the story moving along in the latter half.
So whilst I thought was a unique and interesting plot but I didn't quite warm to it.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for an early copy in return for an honest review.

[Jen Hefford · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is alot going on in this book lots of characters that have their own personalities etc Its an intetesting concept i like the idea of a kindness village jist with less people fuing i think the main Character Tessa is really easy too understand and you get a bond for the character the same with Jayden and Kath and am glad they all came together.
From the beginning you obviously know something is going on with one of the characters and having the background and thoughts of that character in between whats going on in the village gives u an insight into how they are the way they are. Its obvipusly one of the characters in the village bit i was surprised too find out which one though it all made sense when revealed.
i enjoyed this nook though will admit i dod skim read a few bits as it got a bit slow on the middle bit other than that i would reccomend

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andy and Tessa's move to Nether Appleford is partly due to the village's reputation of being the kindest village in England. After all, how many places have a kindness committee?

But as is so often the case, things are not quite as they expected. There are small signs to indicate this along the way, but the realisation is still a shock. Because the truth is, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, and what Tessa and Andy get once they've moved to Britain's Kindest Village is very different from what they expected...

The unfolding of events is quite suspenseful and interesting and I also liked the idea of Britain's Kindest Village and its kindness committee! It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a hard book for me to review as I really can’t explain why and if I liked it or not. The story was well thought out but I couldn’t connect with the characters at all and I struggled throughout the read not to give up. On the plus side the writing was good and I wanted to know what was going to happen in the end and I think it was that part that kept me reading but overall this just wasn’t for me. I think I may be in the minority but sometimes you read a book that you just don’t enjoy so much and this was one of those for me.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Stephanie P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, S.R. Masters, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advanced copy of How to Kill with Kindness in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I did not fully love this one. The characters were not likeable. The story was weird. It had an eerie tone from start to finish, which is what made me want to complete the book. It is not one I would grab to read again, but somewhat entertaining for the plot.