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Family Traits: A gripping psychological suspense
Some secrets, like bodies, are best left buried.
Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewel and Alice Feeney
Two families destroyed by the disappearance of a daughter and the suicide of a son.
Seventeen years ago, the Webster family found themselves in a nightmare when Chris Webster’s protégé, Sam Chappel, disappeared after the school summer ball. Just two weeks later, Chris’s son Jez committed suicide at the family beach hut.
Now Chris Webster is dead, and vicious rumours are starting to circulate about his involvement in Sam’s disappearance.
Nat Morton, journalist with the local paper, has decided that Sam’s story is just what she needs to revive her ailing career. It just means ignoring any loyalty she may feel towards the Websters, who treated her as part of the family when she was growing up.
After the death of her father, Caro Webster is spending the summer at the self-titled Beach Hut, which has been left empty since the suicide of her brother there. She is distraught at the allegations against her beloved father - but far from laying the past to rest, she is discovering disturbing parts of a puzzle that she doesn’t want to piece together.
When Sam Chappell is finally found, the discovery changes everything they thought they knew. And someone is determined that the secrets of the past should stay buried.
'Sarah Jones is a new talent to be watched for sure.'
' I couldn't put this book down. Long after I finished it I was thinking about it. Fabulously twisty and an exploration of the worst side of human nature.'
'What an absolutely smashing book.'
Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewel and Alice Feeney
Two families destroyed by the disappearance of a daughter and the suicide of a son.
Seventeen years ago, the Webster family found themselves in a nightmare when Chris Webster’s protégé, Sam Chappel, disappeared after the school summer ball. Just two weeks later, Chris’s son Jez committed suicide at the family beach hut.
Now Chris Webster is dead, and vicious rumours are starting to circulate about his involvement in Sam’s disappearance.
Nat Morton, journalist with the local paper, has decided that Sam’s story is just what she needs to revive her ailing career. It just means ignoring any loyalty she may feel towards the Websters, who treated her as part of the family when she was growing up.
After the death of her father, Caro Webster is spending the summer at the self-titled Beach Hut, which has been left empty since the suicide of her brother there. She is distraught at the allegations against her beloved father - but far from laying the past to rest, she is discovering disturbing parts of a puzzle that she doesn’t want to piece together.
When Sam Chappell is finally found, the discovery changes everything they thought they knew. And someone is determined that the secrets of the past should stay buried.
'Sarah Jones is a new talent to be watched for sure.'
' I couldn't put this book down. Long after I finished it I was thinking about it. Fabulously twisty and an exploration of the worst side of human nature.'
'What an absolutely smashing book.'
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2025
13 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 19, 2025
This is Sarah’s second novel and I loved it even more than the first.
Gripping from the very start with a missing daughter and the suicide of a son. The tension kicks off immediately and never gives up, just building perfectly throughout.
There’s secrets, lies, trauma and a family who aren’t quite as they seem.
The writing style is incredible, everything flows flawlessly and the way in which an atmosphere is created where I was questioning almost every character is genius.
There is a dual timeline which I love and the author gradually reveals pieces of the past that made me stay up way too late because I had to finish and find out what had really happened.
I managed to piece a little bit of the puzzle together but there was a moment where my jaw literally dropped.
It’s one of those stories that you keep thinking about long after you finish it and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Gripping from the very start with a missing daughter and the suicide of a son. The tension kicks off immediately and never gives up, just building perfectly throughout.
There’s secrets, lies, trauma and a family who aren’t quite as they seem.
The writing style is incredible, everything flows flawlessly and the way in which an atmosphere is created where I was questioning almost every character is genius.
There is a dual timeline which I love and the author gradually reveals pieces of the past that made me stay up way too late because I had to finish and find out what had really happened.
I managed to piece a little bit of the puzzle together but there was a moment where my jaw literally dropped.
It’s one of those stories that you keep thinking about long after you finish it and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
October 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and LBT for allowing me to tour read Family Traits
This is my introduction to the author, with Family Traits being her 2nd novel.
I do love me a good book with plenty of suspense and plot twists and Family Traits provides exactly that!
You’re given an experience that feels like you’re sitting in front of the TV and watching your favourite show, audibly gasping at twists and picking up on the emotions. And yes I can really see this being a good adaption if it were to be put on TV 😊
The different characters gives you a wide cast, their flaws & purposes made clear.
Would I recommend this book?
Yesss! I know some lovers of the genre that would absolutely eat this up and probably come away with a high rating 😊
Thank you to the author and LBT for allowing me to tour read Family Traits
This is my introduction to the author, with Family Traits being her 2nd novel.
I do love me a good book with plenty of suspense and plot twists and Family Traits provides exactly that!
You’re given an experience that feels like you’re sitting in front of the TV and watching your favourite show, audibly gasping at twists and picking up on the emotions. And yes I can really see this being a good adaption if it were to be put on TV 😊
The different characters gives you a wide cast, their flaws & purposes made clear.
Would I recommend this book?
Yesss! I know some lovers of the genre that would absolutely eat this up and probably come away with a high rating 😊
October 25, 2025
Sarah's second book and WOW! So much is happening in Roxcliffe and it definitely has some secrets to hide!
I really liked the twists and turns in this one, it's darker than the first book but it turned out amazing! I wasn't sure which was it would go as the story progresses but I was engrossed!
Sam Chappell goes missing and the case was never closed, hoping one day she'd turn up after staying at friends but fate had a different plan.
I wasn't always keen on Nat, when she's got her journalist head on, is she being supportive or just looking for the next scoop? Caro is all sorts of emotions, worried about her parents, Sam, Gus and also Jez, her loyalties are split every which way!
After reading the last sentence in the book, he needs a slap!
I really liked the twists and turns in this one, it's darker than the first book but it turned out amazing! I wasn't sure which was it would go as the story progresses but I was engrossed!
Sam Chappell goes missing and the case was never closed, hoping one day she'd turn up after staying at friends but fate had a different plan.
I wasn't always keen on Nat, when she's got her journalist head on, is she being supportive or just looking for the next scoop? Caro is all sorts of emotions, worried about her parents, Sam, Gus and also Jez, her loyalties are split every which way!
After reading the last sentence in the book, he needs a slap!
October 17, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is darker than Sarah's first but full of complex characters and twists that span the decades!
Another standalone story, it explores the complexities of human nature and what lengths some people will go to to keep the past hidden...
But after the death of Caro's father, could an old town cold case be finally solved?
The characters are all fleshed-out and have their own flaws (and motives). This makes everything feel grounded and realistic, despite being shocking.
I can't wait to see what Sarah writes next!
Another standalone story, it explores the complexities of human nature and what lengths some people will go to to keep the past hidden...
But after the death of Caro's father, could an old town cold case be finally solved?
The characters are all fleshed-out and have their own flaws (and motives). This makes everything feel grounded and realistic, despite being shocking.
I can't wait to see what Sarah writes next!
October 22, 2025
Thank you so much to Sarah Jones and Love Book Tours for gifting me a proof copy for their book tour.
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be picking up more. I found it slower paced than others in this genre that I tend to go for but I loved the pacing this time.
Every character was complex and had their flaws which I loved and found realistic which was great.
So much happened and went down and I loved the slow drip feeding bits of information that was all so nicely tied up at the end. There were so many times I read bits that I was like ah so that’s where that connects to this and that. It was just brilliant! 100% recommend.
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book I’ve read by this author and I will be picking up more. I found it slower paced than others in this genre that I tend to go for but I loved the pacing this time.
Every character was complex and had their flaws which I loved and found realistic which was great.
So much happened and went down and I loved the slow drip feeding bits of information that was all so nicely tied up at the end. There were so many times I read bits that I was like ah so that’s where that connects to this and that. It was just brilliant! 100% recommend.
November 3, 2025
A thought-provoking slow-burn thriller loaded with suspense and intrigue.
Family Traits revolves around Caroline - known as Caro to everyone who ever met her. Now all grown up with two children and a ex husband, her family life changed for good when she was just 15: in one summer, a school friend went missing and her adored younger brother took his own life.
17 years on, Caro is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Her father, the former headmaster of a local prestigious school, has just died, and her mother is in a home, suffering with advanced dementia. To make matters worse, some horrible posts on a school forum are insinuating her father had something to do with the disappearance of that poor schoolgirl, Sam.
Told from the perspective of multiple people, Family Traits slowly unravels the mystery of that summer seventeen years ago. There's Caro, struggling to make sense that her own family may not he as innocent as she hopes; Nat, Caro's friend but also a local journalist determined to find the truth; and Alex, Caro's sixteen-year-old son. Everyone's unique perspective adds a welcome layer to the mystery waiting to be unfolded here - a mystery where all the key players are long gone. How can anyone ever find out the truth?
Jones builds a successful slow-burn thriller here, and even if I did suspect the outcome some way before the end, I very much enjoyed seeing it unravel. It could have perhaps been a little tighter, with some chapters around the middle being a bit too meandering, but overall, this is a rich novel with complex, three-dimensional characters, a beautifully-described setting and a plot that will keep you engaged until the final page.
Family Traits revolves around Caroline - known as Caro to everyone who ever met her. Now all grown up with two children and a ex husband, her family life changed for good when she was just 15: in one summer, a school friend went missing and her adored younger brother took his own life.
17 years on, Caro is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Her father, the former headmaster of a local prestigious school, has just died, and her mother is in a home, suffering with advanced dementia. To make matters worse, some horrible posts on a school forum are insinuating her father had something to do with the disappearance of that poor schoolgirl, Sam.
Told from the perspective of multiple people, Family Traits slowly unravels the mystery of that summer seventeen years ago. There's Caro, struggling to make sense that her own family may not he as innocent as she hopes; Nat, Caro's friend but also a local journalist determined to find the truth; and Alex, Caro's sixteen-year-old son. Everyone's unique perspective adds a welcome layer to the mystery waiting to be unfolded here - a mystery where all the key players are long gone. How can anyone ever find out the truth?
Jones builds a successful slow-burn thriller here, and even if I did suspect the outcome some way before the end, I very much enjoyed seeing it unravel. It could have perhaps been a little tighter, with some chapters around the middle being a bit too meandering, but overall, this is a rich novel with complex, three-dimensional characters, a beautifully-described setting and a plot that will keep you engaged until the final page.
November 4, 2025
A hard hitting psychological thriller that had me desperate to know what happened 17 years ago.
I adore dual timeline thrillers where we are constantly going back and forth, slowly piecing together the events of what truly happened.
I can’t tell you how many theories and suspicions I had or how many times I gasped, but this truly had me transfixed. And I loved the satisfaction I got (as an amateur sleuth lol) when my theories were correct but more so when I was wrong. Gotta love those twists you don’t see coming.
Now, I can’t pretend that I liked Nat or Caro (both very selfish in their ways) but they were fascinating, real and flawed and I love complex characters.
The pacing, at times, was a little slow with unnecessary details BUT that could just be because I wanted to unearth the truth asap to find out the truth about the Websters and what happened to Sam! I’m impatient! lol
There were times when, I wouldn’t say I was triggered but, let’s just say, I wish I could erase the memory of seeing my brother’s body.
Definitely more peaceful than Jez but an image I’ll never forget.
Throughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more from Sarah. I’ll start with her first book, A False Reflection.
Thank you so much, Sarah & LBT, for having on the tour for this fantastic book.
#AD #LBTCrew #FreeReview
I adore dual timeline thrillers where we are constantly going back and forth, slowly piecing together the events of what truly happened.
I can’t tell you how many theories and suspicions I had or how many times I gasped, but this truly had me transfixed. And I loved the satisfaction I got (as an amateur sleuth lol) when my theories were correct but more so when I was wrong. Gotta love those twists you don’t see coming.
Now, I can’t pretend that I liked Nat or Caro (both very selfish in their ways) but they were fascinating, real and flawed and I love complex characters.
The pacing, at times, was a little slow with unnecessary details BUT that could just be because I wanted to unearth the truth asap to find out the truth about the Websters and what happened to Sam! I’m impatient! lol
There were times when, I wouldn’t say I was triggered but, let’s just say, I wish I could erase the memory of seeing my brother’s body.
Definitely more peaceful than Jez but an image I’ll never forget.
Throughly enjoyed this and cannot wait to read more from Sarah. I’ll start with her first book, A False Reflection.
Thank you so much, Sarah & LBT, for having on the tour for this fantastic book.
#AD #LBTCrew #FreeReview
October 28, 2025
This is the first book that I have read by Sarah Jones and it definitely won't be my last! From the very start it was a gripping read with its descriptive language transporting me to the Yorkshire coast and the closeknit community of Churcher's School. The storyline had me compulsively reading into the early hours of the morning as I found it unputdownable. With its dual timeline events of "17 years ago" and the present day which are slowly revealed in the short chapters that tantalisingly compel you to keep reading to find out what happened to Sam Chappel the girl who vanished on the night of the Leavers Ball and how the Headmasters family are involved and their secrets.
Told from multiple points of view but mostly Caro the headmasters daughter and her best friend Nat when they were 15 years old and now 17 years later you are constantly having to re-evaluate your suspicions and conclusions as the plot is revealed and are left with a shocking and totally unexpected twist at the very end.
Told from multiple points of view but mostly Caro the headmasters daughter and her best friend Nat when they were 15 years old and now 17 years later you are constantly having to re-evaluate your suspicions and conclusions as the plot is revealed and are left with a shocking and totally unexpected twist at the very end.
November 2, 2025
This is my second read by this author and as much as I loved reading A False Reflection, I think I have to say that I loved this one even more!
This story had a much darker atmosphere and I found that I was sucked right into this one right from the start.
I loved that we follow this storyline over a dual timeline, which meant that the author managed to drip feed vital information bit by bit and of course this had me glued to the pages and racing through this late into the evenings.
The characters were, once again, really well presented and developed and I have to be honest, I had moments of distrusting all of them at different times through the story.
I really felt for Caro though as she tried to piece together all that she found.
The writing style had me hooked and I couldn't get enough of the secrets and lies and all the twists that kept coming.
I definitely had a few theories as I read and maybe some elements I followed - but there was always something else round the next corner that shocked me again.
This was another brilliant read and totally my favourite genre.
I'll definitely be looking out for more books by this author in the future and can't wait to see what's next ...
This story had a much darker atmosphere and I found that I was sucked right into this one right from the start.
I loved that we follow this storyline over a dual timeline, which meant that the author managed to drip feed vital information bit by bit and of course this had me glued to the pages and racing through this late into the evenings.
The characters were, once again, really well presented and developed and I have to be honest, I had moments of distrusting all of them at different times through the story.
I really felt for Caro though as she tried to piece together all that she found.
The writing style had me hooked and I couldn't get enough of the secrets and lies and all the twists that kept coming.
I definitely had a few theories as I read and maybe some elements I followed - but there was always something else round the next corner that shocked me again.
This was another brilliant read and totally my favourite genre.
I'll definitely be looking out for more books by this author in the future and can't wait to see what's next ...
October 22, 2025
She's only gone and done it again... Another brilliant book from Sarah Jones!
I was hooked from the first sentence following Caro's story.
I really liked Nat and her struggles to want to do right by her friend but also further her career.
I was drawn in by the mysterious disappeance of a teenage girl during a school leaver's ball and the need to find the truth 17 years later.
(Creepy coincidence - it is 17 years since I left school and attended my leaver's ball!😱)
The descriptive writing style makes it a wonderful read, making it easy to imagine the surroundings. I really enjoyed the newspaper article excerpts and social media posts which helped to make it feel like it was happening in real time. It was full of twists and turns, every time I thought I'd figured it out, another revelation changed it all.
This book definitely does not disappoint and I would recommend it to everyone who loves thrillers and mysteries.
I was hooked from the first sentence following Caro's story.
I really liked Nat and her struggles to want to do right by her friend but also further her career.
I was drawn in by the mysterious disappeance of a teenage girl during a school leaver's ball and the need to find the truth 17 years later.
(Creepy coincidence - it is 17 years since I left school and attended my leaver's ball!😱)
The descriptive writing style makes it a wonderful read, making it easy to imagine the surroundings. I really enjoyed the newspaper article excerpts and social media posts which helped to make it feel like it was happening in real time. It was full of twists and turns, every time I thought I'd figured it out, another revelation changed it all.
This book definitely does not disappoint and I would recommend it to everyone who loves thrillers and mysteries.
October 28, 2025
Nat Morton - a journalist with the local paper, has decided that Sam’s story is just what she needs to revive her ailing career. It just means ignoring any loyalty she may feel towards the Websters, who treated her as part of the family when she was growing up.
We see the build up of a missing daughter and the suicide of a son.. This novel flits between past and present.
This book has plenty of twists and turns, it makes you think you know what is going to happen next.
It's a beautifully written darker theme novel. One which caught me hook line and sinker. I couldn't put this book down!
This is the first novel by this author I have read and I can honestly say it will not be the last.
The way this author created this storyline is amazing!
It has left me wanting and needing more!
The ending of this novel is wasn't expecting!
We see the build up of a missing daughter and the suicide of a son.. This novel flits between past and present.
This book has plenty of twists and turns, it makes you think you know what is going to happen next.
It's a beautifully written darker theme novel. One which caught me hook line and sinker. I couldn't put this book down!
This is the first novel by this author I have read and I can honestly say it will not be the last.
The way this author created this storyline is amazing!
It has left me wanting and needing more!
The ending of this novel is wasn't expecting!
November 1, 2025
I loved this 🙌🏻 The story all unfolds through short quick chapters that have dual timelines and different POVs, which I always enjoy. It's has plenty of wee twists throughout which keeps you wanting to read on and I think I changed my mind about ten times guessing what was going on which was fun 😅 overall I felt it was really well written as I felt I could really feel the emotions of the characters. I don't think I had a favorite character but I did really feel for Alex and Jez, I just wanted to jump in and give them a hug! 🫂 I thought it had a good ending but those last six words absolutely ripped my heart out! 💔 This is definitely one of they books that grips you from the start and doesn't let go.
October 29, 2025
Told through past and present timelines and with different character voices, the story unfolds as you progress through this read.
I found the writing easy to follow and it flowed really well, I was quickly hooked into the story and with the short chapters it was a hard read to put down.
A new author to me but I would definitely read more if this was anything to go by.
The twists were so good and I loved that it was a cold case.
A thrillingly good read with a really good storyline and an ending I didn’t see coming.
Great book, great plot
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@sarahjoneswrites
@lovebookstours
I found the writing easy to follow and it flowed really well, I was quickly hooked into the story and with the short chapters it was a hard read to put down.
A new author to me but I would definitely read more if this was anything to go by.
The twists were so good and I loved that it was a cold case.
A thrillingly good read with a really good storyline and an ending I didn’t see coming.
Great book, great plot
#Ad #LBTCrew #Bookstagram #FreeBookReview
@sarahjoneswrites
@lovebookstours
November 5, 2025
4.5 stars! This was full of twists and turns and had me hooked from the first page. I loved the concept of the story, two families who have been through trauma in the past and for this to resurface years later!
The setting was perfect and I really liked how the characters danced around each other as the truth was slowly revealed. I don’t want to give too much away but this would make a great TV drama.
It was well written, nicely thought out, gripping and the ending was satisfying which doesn't always happen with thrillers. I will definitely read more by this author.
Huge thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
The setting was perfect and I really liked how the characters danced around each other as the truth was slowly revealed. I don’t want to give too much away but this would make a great TV drama.
It was well written, nicely thought out, gripping and the ending was satisfying which doesn't always happen with thrillers. I will definitely read more by this author.
Huge thanks to the author, publisher and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.
November 1, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this tense psychological thriller from Sarah Jones. Told in a dual timeline the book was fast paced and twisty. The characters were quite complex but very believable. I also enjoyed the short chapters as they help the book just fly along. There were plenty of toys that it had me changing my mind constantly! I highly recommend this book to any fan of psychological thrillers.
November 1, 2025
A perfectly paced mystery thriller with a killer twist.
Told from multiple POV and with a dual timeline, I found this book had a solid storyline and was very well written.
The main characters are interesting and likeable and I found myself immersed in their story, wanting to know what secrets would surface. I wasn’t disappointed!
Told from multiple POV and with a dual timeline, I found this book had a solid storyline and was very well written.
The main characters are interesting and likeable and I found myself immersed in their story, wanting to know what secrets would surface. I wasn’t disappointed!
November 13, 2025
A slow burn 🔥 with in depth and complex characters. Not all of them are likeable! But you certainly get to know them and I found myself increasingly excited to learn more. A lot of detail in places but a few twists along the way to keep me on my eyes.
Beautifully written and an interesting story.
Beautifully written and an interesting story.
October 31, 2025
This story had me gripped from the start and guessing to the very end. There is so much going on with this family. The secrets and lies and the trauma they've gone through was engrossing.
The story is set up with a tense and dark atmosphere. I liked how it was told over two timelines, but the more I read, the harder I found it to predict what was going to happen. The family is complex and there has been a lot from the past buried.
It was twisty, compelling and kept a fast pace. I really want to read more from this author now.
The story is set up with a tense and dark atmosphere. I liked how it was told over two timelines, but the more I read, the harder I found it to predict what was going to happen. The family is complex and there has been a lot from the past buried.
It was twisty, compelling and kept a fast pace. I really want to read more from this author now.
October 30, 2025
Nat Morton is a journalist for the village’s local paper and a good family friends of the Websters. 📰 She has decided that she wants to make a name for herself by investigate in a girl, Sam Chappell, who went missing from the school’s Leavers’ Ball 17 years ago. 💃🏼
After Caro Webster’s beloved dad who was a headmaster at Churcher’s School has passed away, she started to spend her summer down at the Beach Hut after it was left sitting empty since her brother committed suicide 2 weeks after Sam went missing. 🤷🏼♀️
There were allegations against Caro’s dad after his death and she was disturbed by this. Then Sam’s body has been found which changes everything they thought they knew… 🫣
Who is behind this? Why do they want to keep the secrets past buried?! 🤷🏼♀️
Family Traits have plenty of twists and turns and making you thinking that you got it figure out what is going to happen next… 🤔
That ending.. wow, I never saw that coming!! 🤯
Thank you to Sarah and Love Books Tour for letting me participating in this tour. ♥️
After Caro Webster’s beloved dad who was a headmaster at Churcher’s School has passed away, she started to spend her summer down at the Beach Hut after it was left sitting empty since her brother committed suicide 2 weeks after Sam went missing. 🤷🏼♀️
There were allegations against Caro’s dad after his death and she was disturbed by this. Then Sam’s body has been found which changes everything they thought they knew… 🫣
Who is behind this? Why do they want to keep the secrets past buried?! 🤷🏼♀️
Family Traits have plenty of twists and turns and making you thinking that you got it figure out what is going to happen next… 🤔
That ending.. wow, I never saw that coming!! 🤯
Thank you to Sarah and Love Books Tour for letting me participating in this tour. ♥️
November 8, 2025
So I’m a huge fan of this author after reading another of her books earlier this year. So the anticipation and excitement of jumping in to this one was high! Immediately I knew I was going to love it from the first chapter and the story unfolded and I just got more and more invested in getting this read as I could not put it down!
Features that make this stand out is the dual timeline that gives you tenses glimpses back into the past story whilst the present timeline keeps you just as hooked. Seeing the story written from different characters perspectives also is a huge plus point and the characters themselves are so detailed and have their own quirks and personalities. I really liked Caro but she had so much going on I felt sad for her. Nat irked me at times but I did love her as a character.
The tension I felt with this was unreal. I just couldn’t piece together what would happen next and eventually it all fits together just not always as I expected.
An absolutely fabulous second book and I cannot wait to see what we get next!
Features that make this stand out is the dual timeline that gives you tenses glimpses back into the past story whilst the present timeline keeps you just as hooked. Seeing the story written from different characters perspectives also is a huge plus point and the characters themselves are so detailed and have their own quirks and personalities. I really liked Caro but she had so much going on I felt sad for her. Nat irked me at times but I did love her as a character.
The tension I felt with this was unreal. I just couldn’t piece together what would happen next and eventually it all fits together just not always as I expected.
An absolutely fabulous second book and I cannot wait to see what we get next!
October 29, 2025
There are lots of hidden depths and secrets within this story which mainly centres around the Webster family. A family haunted by the death of their son and brother but also within this storyline there is a mother seeking information about her daughter who went missing 17 years ago, Sam.
As I read this book I found the storyline became more intricate and all was not as it seemed from the outset. Certain secrets held in the past need to be faced to find the key to the unresolved mysteries in the village.
This story has it all from betrayal, sorrow, envy, jealousy and mistrust, it kept me guessing throughout. I did not foresee some of the revealed secrets at the end which I found quite shocking. It was a great book and I would recommend reading it!
Synopsis:-
Two families destroyed by the disappearance of a daughter and the suicide of a son.
Seventeen years ago, the Webster family found themselves in a nightmare when Chris Webster’s protégé, Sam Chappel, disappeared after the school summer ball. Just two weeks later, Chris’s son Jez committed suicide at the family holiday home.
Now Chris Webster is dead, and viscous rumours are starting to circulate about his involvement in Sam’s disappearance.
Nat Morton, journalist with the local paper, has decided that Sam’s story is just what she needs to revive her ailing career. It just means ignoring any loyalty she may feel towards the Websters, who treated her as part of the family when she was growing up.
After the death of her father, Caro Webster is spending the summer at the ‘Beach Hut’, which has been left empty since the suicide of her brother there. She is distraught at the allegations against her beloved father - but far from laying the past to rest, she is discovering disturbing parts of a puzzle that she doesn’t want to piece together.
When Sam Chappell is finally found, the discovery changes everything they thought they knew. And someone is determined that the secrets of the past should stay buried.
As I read this book I found the storyline became more intricate and all was not as it seemed from the outset. Certain secrets held in the past need to be faced to find the key to the unresolved mysteries in the village.
This story has it all from betrayal, sorrow, envy, jealousy and mistrust, it kept me guessing throughout. I did not foresee some of the revealed secrets at the end which I found quite shocking. It was a great book and I would recommend reading it!
Synopsis:-
Two families destroyed by the disappearance of a daughter and the suicide of a son.
Seventeen years ago, the Webster family found themselves in a nightmare when Chris Webster’s protégé, Sam Chappel, disappeared after the school summer ball. Just two weeks later, Chris’s son Jez committed suicide at the family holiday home.
Now Chris Webster is dead, and viscous rumours are starting to circulate about his involvement in Sam’s disappearance.
Nat Morton, journalist with the local paper, has decided that Sam’s story is just what she needs to revive her ailing career. It just means ignoring any loyalty she may feel towards the Websters, who treated her as part of the family when she was growing up.
After the death of her father, Caro Webster is spending the summer at the ‘Beach Hut’, which has been left empty since the suicide of her brother there. She is distraught at the allegations against her beloved father - but far from laying the past to rest, she is discovering disturbing parts of a puzzle that she doesn’t want to piece together.
When Sam Chappell is finally found, the discovery changes everything they thought they knew. And someone is determined that the secrets of the past should stay buried.
November 2, 2025
This was an easy read, told through multiple points of view, mainly focusing on Nat and her best friend Caro. The pace remains steady throughout.
While I was able to predict some parts of the story, the ending took me by surprise - I was left guessing until the final chapters, with the final chapter giving me a ‘Wow’ moment.
The side characters weren’t always likeable, but Nat stood out as a strong lead who kept me engaged and drove the story forward. This is the authors second novel so if you enjoy a slow burn thriller then give it a go!
While I was able to predict some parts of the story, the ending took me by surprise - I was left guessing until the final chapters, with the final chapter giving me a ‘Wow’ moment.
The side characters weren’t always likeable, but Nat stood out as a strong lead who kept me engaged and drove the story forward. This is the authors second novel so if you enjoy a slow burn thriller then give it a go!
October 19, 2025
This was the first book I’ve read from this author and I immediately went and bought her first book which I’ve nearly finished! .
Fast paced, complex characters who remained believable. I do enjoy a dual timeline and this gave me a real sense of foreboding ! Just as I thought I’d figured it out it twisted away from me. I read this in one day as I just couldn’t put it down. The ending hurt and I will think about this book for quite some time. If you like Lisa Jewel and Alice Feeney this is perfect for you.
Fast paced, complex characters who remained believable. I do enjoy a dual timeline and this gave me a real sense of foreboding ! Just as I thought I’d figured it out it twisted away from me. I read this in one day as I just couldn’t put it down. The ending hurt and I will think about this book for quite some time. If you like Lisa Jewel and Alice Feeney this is perfect for you.
October 19, 2025
This was the second book I have read from this author. I loved the first book but the second was even better! With complex characters and a dual timeline that slowly reveals the truth of the past, it was a fast paced read that I found impossible to put down. An incredible ending that I can’t stop thinking about. Brilliant and I highly recommend.
December 9, 2025
This book gripped me and was a real page turner. I didn't like all the characters but that made it all the more interesting. And that ending WOW!
December 7, 2025
Thank you to Love Book Tours and Sarah Jones for my physical copy to read and review.
17 years ago, one young person committed suicide, and another went missing. This tight knit seaside community but over the years the stories have been forgotten and the mysteries have been twisted over time. This story revolves around Caro and Nat – two young girls forever caught up in the mysteries of the past and the revelations of the present.
I loved this book. Family dramas are one of my favourite genres and this did not disappoint. The Webster family are great characters. All of them flawed in their own way. Some more than others. The death of Chris Webster means his daughter begin to unpick the past. Her friend Nat, a journalist, is happy to help her, or herself!
The beach house location is wonderful. The sea and the sand dunes and the sky conjure a wonderful location but even this beautiful place has its secrets.
The story has two timelines. 17 years ago, and the present. It twists and turns along the way keeping you guessing. I was able to have my suspicions about what happens but did not get the full picture until the very end.
A great page turner and enticing read. I have already ordered Sarah’s other book!
17 years ago, one young person committed suicide, and another went missing. This tight knit seaside community but over the years the stories have been forgotten and the mysteries have been twisted over time. This story revolves around Caro and Nat – two young girls forever caught up in the mysteries of the past and the revelations of the present.
I loved this book. Family dramas are one of my favourite genres and this did not disappoint. The Webster family are great characters. All of them flawed in their own way. Some more than others. The death of Chris Webster means his daughter begin to unpick the past. Her friend Nat, a journalist, is happy to help her, or herself!
The beach house location is wonderful. The sea and the sand dunes and the sky conjure a wonderful location but even this beautiful place has its secrets.
The story has two timelines. 17 years ago, and the present. It twists and turns along the way keeping you guessing. I was able to have my suspicions about what happens but did not get the full picture until the very end.
A great page turner and enticing read. I have already ordered Sarah’s other book!
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