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Our Beautiful Mess: An Explosive Domestic Thriller Novel
Number One bestseller Adele Parks returns with an explosive and deeply emotional family drama that explores the lengths a mother will go to protect her family, even if it risks exposing her past. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Lianne Moriarty.
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. The empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.
Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant.
Reeling from Fran’s news and terrified that her past might threaten her family’s future, Connie desperately tries to navigate a path forward. But there’s a much greater menace looming, because 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.
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. The empty nest will once again be full of friends, family and young love.
Yet from the moment she sees Zac, Connie feels a deep unease. Zac reminds her of the worst mistake she has ever a man whose charm and good looks nearly destroyed her marriage. Then, Fran announces she’s pregnant.
Reeling from Fran’s news and terrified that her past might threaten her family’s future, Connie desperately tries to navigate a path forward. But there’s a much greater menace looming, because 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.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2025
About the author
Adele Parks
87 books3,720 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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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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⭐⭐
Our Beautiful Mess
Adele Parks
Publication Date: February 10th, 2026
Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row
448 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction
"Adele Parks returns with an explosive and deeply emotional family drama."
NOT!
Adele Parks is known as the master of the psychological family thriller, but this book feels like she's putting quantity over quality. (Eight books in seven years.) This domestic thriller falls flat because of pacing issues and characters that are difficult to root for. The story is about Connie Baker. Connie is a mom hoping to host the perfect Christmas at her home. The dream is brought to a grinding halt when her daughter, Fran, returns from university with her boyfriend, Zac, and announces she is pregnant. The big twist? Connie is now worried her secret will be revealed and ruin her marriage. We are then left with a family at odds with each other.
I did not like the way this book was laid out. It uses a countdown style that starts with a gunshot and rewinds to eleven days ago. In my personal opinion, those eleven days felt like an eternity. The first half of the book is repetitive internal monologues and domestic details that suck out the tension. There is lots of melodrama, and you are punched in the face with the fact that Fran and Zac are Gen Z. The connection between Connie and Zac is a bit far-fetched and convenient if you ask me (nobody did). The book is waaaaay tooooo looooong. It's almost 450 pages. I think it needs to be chopped to save the tension.
If you are a fan of Parks’ earlier work, there is some nostalgic value here because Connie is from her older book, Playing Away. But for those of us searching for an intelligent thriller, this one is bogged down in the details. It's predictable and soap-opera-like, and it failed to give the shock factor I was looking for because it lacked substance. Ultimately, Our Beautiful Mess is, well, a mess—and a very ugly one at that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐
Our Beautiful Mess
Adele Parks
Publication Date: February 10th, 2026
Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row
448 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction
"Adele Parks returns with an explosive and deeply emotional family drama."
NOT!
Adele Parks is known as the master of the psychological family thriller, but this book feels like she's putting quantity over quality. (Eight books in seven years.) This domestic thriller falls flat because of pacing issues and characters that are difficult to root for. The story is about Connie Baker. Connie is a mom hoping to host the perfect Christmas at her home. The dream is brought to a grinding halt when her daughter, Fran, returns from university with her boyfriend, Zac, and announces she is pregnant. The big twist? Connie is now worried her secret will be revealed and ruin her marriage. We are then left with a family at odds with each other.
I did not like the way this book was laid out. It uses a countdown style that starts with a gunshot and rewinds to eleven days ago. In my personal opinion, those eleven days felt like an eternity. The first half of the book is repetitive internal monologues and domestic details that suck out the tension. There is lots of melodrama, and you are punched in the face with the fact that Fran and Zac are Gen Z. The connection between Connie and Zac is a bit far-fetched and convenient if you ask me (nobody did). The book is waaaaay tooooo looooong. It's almost 450 pages. I think it needs to be chopped to save the tension.
If you are a fan of Parks’ earlier work, there is some nostalgic value here because Connie is from her older book, Playing Away. But for those of us searching for an intelligent thriller, this one is bogged down in the details. It's predictable and soap-opera-like, and it failed to give the shock factor I was looking for because it lacked substance. Ultimately, Our Beautiful Mess is, well, a mess—and a very ugly one at that.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 15, 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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February 18, 2026
Family drama at it's best for most of this book. Christmas brings secrets and revelations. I liked the build up in the book. But I really thought Connie's secret was going turn dark, and I totally pictured a different ending. It's a good book but I think I wanted a bit more of twisty ending. 3.5 rounded up
August 30, 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.
April 2, 2026
Connie knows she is lucky, she has three fabulous daughters Fran, Flora & Sophie, a husband Luke who she loves with all her heart. Connie couldn't be happier. She also absolutely loves Christmas, the chaotic family get togethers, the petty squabbling, the overindulging, the tackiness, nostalgia and everything in-between.
When her eldest daughter Fran returns from University for the festive season, with her new boyfriend Zac in tow, this should be the icing on the cake. But there is something about Zac that makes Connie uneasy. For a start he bears more than a striking resemblance to John Harding. Connie's ex - of sorts.
John was Connie's one singular catastrophic mistake.
An affair early in her marriage that nearly broke it, and her.
Luke, Connie's husband found the love and strength he needed to forgive her, and their marriage has been practically perfect in the years since. Zac's appearance throws Connie off kilter, but no one else seems to notice her sudden derailment.
After all, there is Christmas to focus on, and some wonderfully happy news that Fran and Zac bring with them. Unfortunately the happiness doesn't last for long. Connie's suspicions of Zac are entirely justified, but even she can't imagine the devastation and danger that is about to come their way.
When her eldest daughter Fran returns from University for the festive season, with her new boyfriend Zac in tow, this should be the icing on the cake. But there is something about Zac that makes Connie uneasy. For a start he bears more than a striking resemblance to John Harding. Connie's ex - of sorts.
John was Connie's one singular catastrophic mistake.
An affair early in her marriage that nearly broke it, and her.
Luke, Connie's husband found the love and strength he needed to forgive her, and their marriage has been practically perfect in the years since. Zac's appearance throws Connie off kilter, but no one else seems to notice her sudden derailment.
After all, there is Christmas to focus on, and some wonderfully happy news that Fran and Zac bring with them. Unfortunately the happiness doesn't last for long. Connie's suspicions of Zac are entirely justified, but even she can't imagine the devastation and danger that is about to come their way.
February 14, 2026
Now Available
Our Beautiful Mess is a tense family drama about secrets, lies, and motherhood. The story centres on Connie, who is looking forward to having all her daughters home for the holidays, especially with one bringing a new boyfriend. From the moment Connie meets Zac, however, she is overwhelmed by unease, as he reminds her of a painful mistake from her past. When her daughter Fran announces she is pregnant, old fears resurface, and the carefully held balance within the family begins to crack.
I enjoyed this book, particularly the character of Fran. Adele Parks is very good at capturing domestic tension and emotional escalation. That said, I also found it a bit much at times. Several twists felt contrived rather than organic, and parts of the plot stretched credibility to the point that I was occasionally pulled out of the story.
Some developments leaned too hard on shock value over realism, which didn't work for me. It is an engaging read that keeps you turning the pages, but I found myself wishing for a more realistic execution of its ideas.
Our Beautiful Mess is a solid family thriller with strong emotional themes. Still, the far-fetched turns and overstuffed twists held it back from being as powerful as it could have been—an enjoyable but uneven read.
Thank you Edelweiss and Park Row for the digital readers copy All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our Beautiful Mess is a tense family drama about secrets, lies, and motherhood. The story centres on Connie, who is looking forward to having all her daughters home for the holidays, especially with one bringing a new boyfriend. From the moment Connie meets Zac, however, she is overwhelmed by unease, as he reminds her of a painful mistake from her past. When her daughter Fran announces she is pregnant, old fears resurface, and the carefully held balance within the family begins to crack.
I enjoyed this book, particularly the character of Fran. Adele Parks is very good at capturing domestic tension and emotional escalation. That said, I also found it a bit much at times. Several twists felt contrived rather than organic, and parts of the plot stretched credibility to the point that I was occasionally pulled out of the story.
Some developments leaned too hard on shock value over realism, which didn't work for me. It is an engaging read that keeps you turning the pages, but I found myself wishing for a more realistic execution of its ideas.
Our Beautiful Mess is a solid family thriller with strong emotional themes. Still, the far-fetched turns and overstuffed twists held it back from being as powerful as it could have been—an enjoyable but uneven read.
Thank you Edelweiss and Park Row for the digital readers copy All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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.
October 22, 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.
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…
March 20, 2026
Not very good at all. Really cringe language as well - if I ever hear the phrases “menty b” and “bio Dad” again I’ll be furious.
October 18, 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!
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 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.
July 1, 2026
Bravo 👏🏽 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😩 Wow, what a F’ing Mess!! I loved it! I’m so satisfyingly sad and happy at the same time. The storytelling was epic! This was a serious train wreck you will not be able to look 👀 away from. Like, how much can one person take?? I don’t know how many times my jaw hit the floor and I just wanted to scream “Shut Up!”
Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to make it through this story and then sh@t started going down, and OMG! This one is a good one and for that I say….. Thank you very much!!!
Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to make it through this story and then sh@t started going down, and OMG! This one is a good one and for that I say….. Thank you very much!!!
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.
September 20, 2025
not one of her best. just a pretty average pointless book
August 18, 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 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 😢
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.
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.
January 25, 2026
OUR BEAUTIFUL MESS was a good domestic thriller. The story started off strong and kept me interested from the start. There was one big surprise early on that kept me from putting it down. I thought it flowed well and the ending changed my view on some of the characters. I enjoyed the author's note at the end talking about Connie and John and how they were in her very first novel. I'm going to have to look into that book now!
Many thanks to Harlequin Audio for my #gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) shortly.
3.5 stars.
Many thanks to Harlequin Audio for my #gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) shortly.
3.5 stars.
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!
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.
November 5, 2025
DNF I read just under half of this book. I am so bored with it have decided enough is enough.
July 8, 2026
I'm usually a big fan of this author's and have followed her down many morally grey paths, but I just found this whole thing really distasteful and uninteresting. There's only one character I really liked and his POV and character development fell by the wayside, too. I'm so surprised this made it to publication as is.
October 4, 2025
Just awful.
October 8, 2025
Really confused by the 5 star reviews.
April 22, 2026
A mess alright.
September 8, 2026
„Pod jednym dachem” Adele Parks to jedna z tych historii, które uświadamiają, że rodzinne spotkanie nie zawsze oznaczają spokój, bliskość i beztroskie rozmowy. Czasami wystarczy jedno wydarzenie, żeby spod powierzchni zaczęły wychodzić rzeczy, o których wszyscy woleliby zapomnieć. 🤫
🏠 Connie czeka na powrót swoich córek i bardzo zależy jej na tym, aby wspólny czas wyglądał dokładnie tak, jak powinien wyglądać rodzinny, świąteczny powrót do domu. Zjeżdża się cała najbliższa rodzina, a dodatkowo po raz pierwszy wszyscy mają poznać Zaca, chłopaka Fran. Dziewczyna wraz z nim przywozi również wiadomość, która powinna być powodem do ogromnej radości. Connie jednak od początku czuje, że z nowym członkiem rodziny jest coś nie tak. Nie potrafi wyjaśnić dlaczego, ale jej intuicja nie daje jej spokoju. Wystarczy jedna rozmowa, żeby wszystko zaczęło się komplikować, a przeszłość, o której Connie zdecydowanie wolałaby zapomnieć, ponownie pojawia się w jej życiu. I od tego momentu spokojne rodzinne święta zamieniają się w coś zupełnie innego… 🏠
Najlepszy element powieści to właśnie to stopniowe odkrywanie rodzinnych tajemnic. Na początku wszystko wydaje się dość zwyczajne, ale z każdą kolejną stroną czytelnik zadaje sobie pytania i czuje coraz więcej wątpliwości. Sama zaczęłam analizować, kto mówi prawdę, komu można zaufać i co tak naprawdę wydarzyło się w przeszłości.
Adele Parks stopniowo odsłania kolejne elementy układanki, nieustannie podsycając ciekawość. Każdy kolejny rozdział rodzi kolejne pytania, a pojawiające się informacje często podważają wcześniejsze przypuszczenia. Kilkukrotnie byłam przekonana, że znam już rozwiązanie zagadki, by chwilę później odkryć, że autorka celowo wprowadziła mnie w błąd.
Osobiście wolałabym, żeby autorka szybciej rozkręciła fabułę, bo początek momentami mocno mnie znużył. Z drugiej strony, kiedy już akcja ruszyła, nie miałam większych problemów z tym, żeby czytać dalej i sprawdzić, do czego doprowadzą wszystkie skrywane tajemnice.
„Pod jednym dachem” jak dla mnie to książka, która zapewnia dobrą rozrywkę. Nie brakuje rodzinnych sekretów, napięcia i pytań, które towarzyszą czytelnikowi aż do odkrycia kolejnych odpowiedzi. Jeśli lubicie historie, w których za pozornie normalnym życiem bohaterów kryje się więcej sekretów niż każdy przypuszczał to, myślę, że warto dać tej książce szansę. 💫
🏠 Connie czeka na powrót swoich córek i bardzo zależy jej na tym, aby wspólny czas wyglądał dokładnie tak, jak powinien wyglądać rodzinny, świąteczny powrót do domu. Zjeżdża się cała najbliższa rodzina, a dodatkowo po raz pierwszy wszyscy mają poznać Zaca, chłopaka Fran. Dziewczyna wraz z nim przywozi również wiadomość, która powinna być powodem do ogromnej radości. Connie jednak od początku czuje, że z nowym członkiem rodziny jest coś nie tak. Nie potrafi wyjaśnić dlaczego, ale jej intuicja nie daje jej spokoju. Wystarczy jedna rozmowa, żeby wszystko zaczęło się komplikować, a przeszłość, o której Connie zdecydowanie wolałaby zapomnieć, ponownie pojawia się w jej życiu. I od tego momentu spokojne rodzinne święta zamieniają się w coś zupełnie innego… 🏠
Najlepszy element powieści to właśnie to stopniowe odkrywanie rodzinnych tajemnic. Na początku wszystko wydaje się dość zwyczajne, ale z każdą kolejną stroną czytelnik zadaje sobie pytania i czuje coraz więcej wątpliwości. Sama zaczęłam analizować, kto mówi prawdę, komu można zaufać i co tak naprawdę wydarzyło się w przeszłości.
Adele Parks stopniowo odsłania kolejne elementy układanki, nieustannie podsycając ciekawość. Każdy kolejny rozdział rodzi kolejne pytania, a pojawiające się informacje często podważają wcześniejsze przypuszczenia. Kilkukrotnie byłam przekonana, że znam już rozwiązanie zagadki, by chwilę później odkryć, że autorka celowo wprowadziła mnie w błąd.
Osobiście wolałabym, żeby autorka szybciej rozkręciła fabułę, bo początek momentami mocno mnie znużył. Z drugiej strony, kiedy już akcja ruszyła, nie miałam większych problemów z tym, żeby czytać dalej i sprawdzić, do czego doprowadzą wszystkie skrywane tajemnice.
„Pod jednym dachem” jak dla mnie to książka, która zapewnia dobrą rozrywkę. Nie brakuje rodzinnych sekretów, napięcia i pytań, które towarzyszą czytelnikowi aż do odkrycia kolejnych odpowiedzi. Jeśli lubicie historie, w których za pozornie normalnym życiem bohaterów kryje się więcej sekretów niż każdy przypuszczał to, myślę, że warto dać tej książce szansę. 💫
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!
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