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Behind Her Smile
Buried secrets are dangerous.
Unearthing them might be deadly ...
Laurie Dunn has returned to her childhood attic bedroom and her old nightmares have come rushing back. Terrorised by a client-related mugging, her job as a criminal solicitor causes more problems than solutions.
Finn Ballentine yearns for a fresh start, but even the glossy façade of his new law firm can't protect him from the past he's running from.
After a disturbing remark by her confused father, Laurie joins forces with Finn to uncover dark truths. But the long-buried secrets they unearth are laced with danger for them both.
‘In the very top tier of psychological thrillers.’ M W Craven
Tense, disturbing and clever, Behind Her Smile is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Claire Douglas.
Unearthing them might be deadly ...
Laurie Dunn has returned to her childhood attic bedroom and her old nightmares have come rushing back. Terrorised by a client-related mugging, her job as a criminal solicitor causes more problems than solutions.
Finn Ballentine yearns for a fresh start, but even the glossy façade of his new law firm can't protect him from the past he's running from.
After a disturbing remark by her confused father, Laurie joins forces with Finn to uncover dark truths. But the long-buried secrets they unearth are laced with danger for them both.
‘In the very top tier of psychological thrillers.’ M W Craven
Tense, disturbing and clever, Behind Her Smile is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Claire Douglas.
- GenresThriller
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2025
21 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Caroline England
21 books198 followersCWA Dagger shortlisted Caroline England is known as the ‘Duchess of dark domestic noir’. Her psychological suspense thrillers are BENEATH THE SKIN, the top ten ebook bestseller MY HUSBAND'S LIES, BETRAY HER, TRUTH GAMES, THE SINNER, THE STRANGER BESIDE ME and THE RETURN OF FRANKIE WHITTLE. BEHIND HER SMILE hits the shelves on 27 Novembery 2025.
Caroline also pens gothic-tinged psychological thrillers as CE Rose. Stand alone THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS was followed by THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Both CE and Caroline write multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area.
Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to a slight obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and hopefully surprising her readers!
Website: https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CazEngland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-...
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B009UQC1YS
Caroline also pens gothic-tinged psychological thrillers as CE Rose. Stand alone THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN SECRETS was followed by THE HOUSE ON THE WATER'S EDGE, THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE and THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE.
Both CE and Caroline write multi-layered, dark and edgy ‘domestic suspense’ stories that delve into complicated relationships, secrets and the moral grey area.
Drawing on her days as a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer, she loves to create ordinary, relatable characters who get caught up in extraordinary situations, pressures, dilemmas or crime. She admits to a slight obsession with the human psyche, what goes on behind closed doors and beneath people’s façades. She also enjoys performing a literary sleight of hand in her novels and hopefully surprising her readers!
Website: https://carolineenglandauthor.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CazEngland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CazEngland1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cazengland1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cazengland1
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-...
AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B009UQC1YS
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 21, 2025
Laurie and Finn ( ex love interests now both living and working in Manchester ) both have secrets, secrets from each other and secrets they don’t even know about yet but are about to discover when Laurie discovers there is more to her Mum’s death than maybe meets the eye and calls on Finn to help
We meet Lauries healthy eating obsessive Sister and also her Dad who is suffering with dementia and as the book progresses we get to know them and their pasts and how Laurie fits into the family
Any book that cites ‘New Order’ is fine by me and ‘Blue Monday’ was playing in my minds background throughout
Got to say I found the cover off putting but thats just my opinion
It is a tense at times complex look at a family riddled with mystery, layers of stored away secrets and lies and a testament to ‘trusting no one’
We meet Lauries healthy eating obsessive Sister and also her Dad who is suffering with dementia and as the book progresses we get to know them and their pasts and how Laurie fits into the family
Any book that cites ‘New Order’ is fine by me and ‘Blue Monday’ was playing in my minds background throughout
Got to say I found the cover off putting but thats just my opinion
It is a tense at times complex look at a family riddled with mystery, layers of stored away secrets and lies and a testament to ‘trusting no one’
November 16, 2025
I do love books set in the Northwest of England and in particular around the area where I live so the setting of Behind Her Smile attracted me immediately! But then once I started reading, the plot kept me totally immersed from start to finish.
Laurie has had to move back home after breaking up with her boyfriend but once home she notices that her father seems distant and distracted especially after she finds him outside late at night, confused and talking about the past. Laurie seems to have blanked out lots of her childhood memories so this intrigues her to poke around a bit more in what happened in their beautiful home many years ago. When she reconnects with Finn, he also seems to be hiding secrets but when their secrets collide how will it affect this new relationship?
I loved this book and the more I read and the twistier and darker it turned, I just couldn’t put it down! The plot came together perfectly and I loved both Laurie and Finn as characters. The setting was atmospheric especially as the narrative took place in the lead up to Christmas. And that cover! Every time I closed the book that creepy ragdoll gave me goosebumps!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Behind Her Smile and would definitely recommend it to lovers of darkly disturbing domestic noirs.
Laurie has had to move back home after breaking up with her boyfriend but once home she notices that her father seems distant and distracted especially after she finds him outside late at night, confused and talking about the past. Laurie seems to have blanked out lots of her childhood memories so this intrigues her to poke around a bit more in what happened in their beautiful home many years ago. When she reconnects with Finn, he also seems to be hiding secrets but when their secrets collide how will it affect this new relationship?
I loved this book and the more I read and the twistier and darker it turned, I just couldn’t put it down! The plot came together perfectly and I loved both Laurie and Finn as characters. The setting was atmospheric especially as the narrative took place in the lead up to Christmas. And that cover! Every time I closed the book that creepy ragdoll gave me goosebumps!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Behind Her Smile and would definitely recommend it to lovers of darkly disturbing domestic noirs.
November 12, 2025
I devoured Behind Her Smile in just three days and absolutely loved it. Caroline England has such a brilliant way of creating slow, simmering tension. You can feel from the start that something isn’t quite right and I couldn’t stop reading until I’d worked out what it was.
Laurie is such a well-drawn, complex character. I really felt for her as she tried to navigate everything happening around her, desperately trying to remember her childhood while dealing with a father and sister who were clearly keeping things from her, all while holding herself together. Finn is equally compelling, intriguing, and a bit mysterious. I was never quite sure if he was a goody or a baddy, which made it even more addictive.
Jules and Philomena are fantastic, intriguing characters too. I love it when a book has me so invested in everyone, constantly questioning who I can trust and who might be hiding something.
It’s perfectly written, full of secrets, emotion and that lingering sense that the past is never really gone. Like a brilliant jigsaw puzzle, all the pieces slotted perfectly together at the end. A clever, gripping read that completely pulled me in. I’ll definitely be reading more from Caroline England !
Laurie is such a well-drawn, complex character. I really felt for her as she tried to navigate everything happening around her, desperately trying to remember her childhood while dealing with a father and sister who were clearly keeping things from her, all while holding herself together. Finn is equally compelling, intriguing, and a bit mysterious. I was never quite sure if he was a goody or a baddy, which made it even more addictive.
Jules and Philomena are fantastic, intriguing characters too. I love it when a book has me so invested in everyone, constantly questioning who I can trust and who might be hiding something.
It’s perfectly written, full of secrets, emotion and that lingering sense that the past is never really gone. Like a brilliant jigsaw puzzle, all the pieces slotted perfectly together at the end. A clever, gripping read that completely pulled me in. I’ll definitely be reading more from Caroline England !
November 19, 2025
Behind Her Smile by Caroline England publishes with The Bullington Press November 27th (available now on Kindle) and is described as ‘tense, disturbing and clever'.
Laurie Dunn had a difficult childhood after losing her mother at a young age. Her father and older sister made sure she was taken care of but Laurie always felt something was missing. She had recurring flashbacks from early childhood with regular unsettling dreams but she could never really pin down the source of these memories. Laurie decided not to follow the family business of dentistry and chose a career in law instead, making a life for herself away from the family home.
Following a breakup, she finds herself back home again, in the approach to Christmas, but the disconcerting feelings return and Laurie feels her mental health slipping a little. She starts to investigate her past but with her Dad’s behaviour somewhat erratic, she is careful of asking too many sensitive questions.
Finn Ballentine, an old college friend of Laurie, starts working in a legal firm near her, having moved over from Northern Ireland on a more permanent basis. All attempts to establish himself in his new role is proving a challenge for Finn as his past keeps dragging him back to a time and place he would rather forget.
Circumstances align for Laurie and Finn when they cross paths again allowing them the opportunity to reignite their friendship but there is danger lurking and both soon find themselves in some very disturbing situations. Laurie starts to mine her memories trying to discover the reasons for these awful nightmares she is having. She respects her father and sisters privacy but something is awry within her family and Laurie is determined to get to the bottom of it. Finn wants to help her but he is keeping his own secrets close.
Alarming and unexpected events force Laurie and Finn to act as they slowly untangle a shocking truth. With some elements that are quite imaginative, and perhaps occasionally stretch credulity, this is quite a layered tale of secrets and lies. Featuring complicated relationships, untruths, past traumas and challenging family dynamics Behind Her Smile is a complex and twisty read.
Laurie Dunn had a difficult childhood after losing her mother at a young age. Her father and older sister made sure she was taken care of but Laurie always felt something was missing. She had recurring flashbacks from early childhood with regular unsettling dreams but she could never really pin down the source of these memories. Laurie decided not to follow the family business of dentistry and chose a career in law instead, making a life for herself away from the family home.
Following a breakup, she finds herself back home again, in the approach to Christmas, but the disconcerting feelings return and Laurie feels her mental health slipping a little. She starts to investigate her past but with her Dad’s behaviour somewhat erratic, she is careful of asking too many sensitive questions.
Finn Ballentine, an old college friend of Laurie, starts working in a legal firm near her, having moved over from Northern Ireland on a more permanent basis. All attempts to establish himself in his new role is proving a challenge for Finn as his past keeps dragging him back to a time and place he would rather forget.
Circumstances align for Laurie and Finn when they cross paths again allowing them the opportunity to reignite their friendship but there is danger lurking and both soon find themselves in some very disturbing situations. Laurie starts to mine her memories trying to discover the reasons for these awful nightmares she is having. She respects her father and sisters privacy but something is awry within her family and Laurie is determined to get to the bottom of it. Finn wants to help her but he is keeping his own secrets close.
Alarming and unexpected events force Laurie and Finn to act as they slowly untangle a shocking truth. With some elements that are quite imaginative, and perhaps occasionally stretch credulity, this is quite a layered tale of secrets and lies. Featuring complicated relationships, untruths, past traumas and challenging family dynamics Behind Her Smile is a complex and twisty read.
January 9, 2026
As I dove deeper into this book, it became harder and harder to put down.
I have been called sensitive a lot throughout my life. Growing up and going through therapy helped me realize that being sensitive isn't the "bad thing" people made it out to be. Because of that, I could relate to Laurie right from the beginning. Finn was a bit harder to understand, but he was still very likable.
At one point, I thought I knew exactly where the story was going, but I was completely wrong. The twists were intense. The book perfectly narrates the horrifying darkness people can hide behind a facade, as well as the deep, sometimes twisted love that human beings feel.
While I didn’t necessarily like how some parts of the story were tied up, that is exactly why it felt so real. Life has a way of not giving us the endings we want or expect, and this book captures that truth perfectly.
Quoting the author:
𝘠𝘦𝘵 ‘𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧𝘴’ 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 – 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 ... (you'll have to read the book to know what, no spoilers)
PS Trigger Warnings
I have been called sensitive a lot throughout my life. Growing up and going through therapy helped me realize that being sensitive isn't the "bad thing" people made it out to be. Because of that, I could relate to Laurie right from the beginning. Finn was a bit harder to understand, but he was still very likable.
At one point, I thought I knew exactly where the story was going, but I was completely wrong. The twists were intense. The book perfectly narrates the horrifying darkness people can hide behind a facade, as well as the deep, sometimes twisted love that human beings feel.
While I didn’t necessarily like how some parts of the story were tied up, that is exactly why it felt so real. Life has a way of not giving us the endings we want or expect, and this book captures that truth perfectly.
Quoting the author:
𝘠𝘦𝘵 ‘𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧𝘴’ 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘰 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 – 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 ... (you'll have to read the book to know what, no spoilers)
PS Trigger Warnings
December 14, 2025
This is my first Caroline England thriller and it didn't disappoint.
Thr family dynamic between Laurie, Jules and her Dad seems to be pretty straightforward to begin with.
Secrets to be unearthed, a missing boss and an old flame with complexities of his own.
Behind Her Smile sucks you in until the last page, a well written, gripping thriller.
It might be my first Caroline England book, it most certainly won't be my last!
Thr family dynamic between Laurie, Jules and her Dad seems to be pretty straightforward to begin with.
Secrets to be unearthed, a missing boss and an old flame with complexities of his own.
Behind Her Smile sucks you in until the last page, a well written, gripping thriller.
It might be my first Caroline England book, it most certainly won't be my last!
December 7, 2025
What an absolutely gripping psychological thriller. From the opening chapters, I was pulled straight into the tangled lives of Laurie and Jules. Jules works in the family dental practice while quietly coping with her father’s dementia, and Laurie’s life as a lawyer seems steady enough on the surface — until the shadows of her past start to creep back in.
The arrival of her ex, Finn Ballentine, back from Northern Ireland, adds even more tension. Both Finn and Laurie carry their own secrets: his failed marriage, her complicated family history and a mother she never had the chance to know. Caroline England slowly weaves all of these threads together, building unease and suspense right up to the final pages.
It’s a story of love, loss, hidden truths and the lies we tell to keep going. I couldn’t put it down and thought the pacing was spot-on. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
The arrival of her ex, Finn Ballentine, back from Northern Ireland, adds even more tension. Both Finn and Laurie carry their own secrets: his failed marriage, her complicated family history and a mother she never had the chance to know. Caroline England slowly weaves all of these threads together, building unease and suspense right up to the final pages.
It’s a story of love, loss, hidden truths and the lies we tell to keep going. I couldn’t put it down and thought the pacing was spot-on. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
November 21, 2025
Fabulously dark and twisty with a large helping of past secrets and lies. I love a book which centres around hazy memories of childhood and the different versions of events retold by family members as that period is so mysterious and dream like.
The psychological factor is intriguing and morbidly fascinating and makes for excellent storytelling.
In this case the main character, Laurie, gradually begins to unfurl the mysteries of her past like the peeling away of layers of an onion. There are some real shocks and twists, which kept me immersed and on my toes from beginning to end. Her closest family members, those who should have given her a solid and reliable foundation in life are actually at the epicentre of all that was wrong and the ripples spread out widely and across the years.
Well meaning or otherwise, our past and how people interact with us in those formative years are paramount to our development and well being as adults. As an educator of early years children and having seen a wide variety of safeguarding cases, including fabricated illness, I found this particularly compelling and poignant.
The parallels of the story of Finn and the way these gently and subtly intertwined as the book progressed were sublime and I know I will revisit and reread this book, something I rarely do.
Oh and the cover picture? Stunning and simultaneously terrifying, absolutely love it and sums up the story perfectly.
Brilliant writing, as ever, as I’ve come to expect from Caroline. Thank you.
The psychological factor is intriguing and morbidly fascinating and makes for excellent storytelling.
In this case the main character, Laurie, gradually begins to unfurl the mysteries of her past like the peeling away of layers of an onion. There are some real shocks and twists, which kept me immersed and on my toes from beginning to end. Her closest family members, those who should have given her a solid and reliable foundation in life are actually at the epicentre of all that was wrong and the ripples spread out widely and across the years.
Well meaning or otherwise, our past and how people interact with us in those formative years are paramount to our development and well being as adults. As an educator of early years children and having seen a wide variety of safeguarding cases, including fabricated illness, I found this particularly compelling and poignant.
The parallels of the story of Finn and the way these gently and subtly intertwined as the book progressed were sublime and I know I will revisit and reread this book, something I rarely do.
Oh and the cover picture? Stunning and simultaneously terrifying, absolutely love it and sums up the story perfectly.
Brilliant writing, as ever, as I’ve come to expect from Caroline. Thank you.
February 1, 2026
You all know by now that I am that person who judges a book by its cover and what a cover this is!
I was immediately drawn in by the creepy doll image, the syringe and the blood and of course I just had to see what this was all about!
I've also already read a couple of Caroline's books before and absolutely loved them - this one being one of my favourites so far - each read getting better and better.
This book follows Laurie, back home after a recent breakup and still haunted by the memories of her childhood fears of her father's dental practise downstairs.
We also briefly follow Finn, new to the area and keen to escape the trauma of his own bad relationship back home in Ireland.
It took me a long while to be quite so guarded with that summary because quite honestly, so, so much has happened since those humble beginnings and my brain was scrambled throughout the whole process.
What a complex and crazy ride it's been!
First of all, I absolutely loved Laurie. With everything that happened to her from the beginning, it was easy to connect with her and worry about what all the events might lead to.
As her story unfolds it was easy to keep jumping to conclusions and think up scenarios about what each event meant - but there were just so many different twists and new connections made - it was such a rollercoaster.
Finn was mysterious and as his story developed I grew more and more concerned for him too - I was so intrigued and desperate to get more details about his life back home and his past - but I knew that I was rooting for him all the same.
This whole plot was so well thought out and developed and the pacing was just perfection.
I was completely hooked from start to finish and actually struggled to keep to our Read-Along timeline and not just jump ahead and finish it early (ok, I did a little at the end!)
The characters were so compelling - yes! even the bad guys - in fact, even two characters who didn't physically appear in real time in the book at all! 🤷🏻♀️
I just couldn't stop thinking about them all - even when not reading.
I read a lot of psychological thrillers and honestly, this felt so unique and fresh and it kept me guessing right to the end - the reveals and conclusion shocked and I'm sure I didn't even blink for the last 20%!
Another amazing read by this brilliant author and I literally cannot wait for my next read!
I was immediately drawn in by the creepy doll image, the syringe and the blood and of course I just had to see what this was all about!
I've also already read a couple of Caroline's books before and absolutely loved them - this one being one of my favourites so far - each read getting better and better.
This book follows Laurie, back home after a recent breakup and still haunted by the memories of her childhood fears of her father's dental practise downstairs.
We also briefly follow Finn, new to the area and keen to escape the trauma of his own bad relationship back home in Ireland.
It took me a long while to be quite so guarded with that summary because quite honestly, so, so much has happened since those humble beginnings and my brain was scrambled throughout the whole process.
What a complex and crazy ride it's been!
First of all, I absolutely loved Laurie. With everything that happened to her from the beginning, it was easy to connect with her and worry about what all the events might lead to.
As her story unfolds it was easy to keep jumping to conclusions and think up scenarios about what each event meant - but there were just so many different twists and new connections made - it was such a rollercoaster.
Finn was mysterious and as his story developed I grew more and more concerned for him too - I was so intrigued and desperate to get more details about his life back home and his past - but I knew that I was rooting for him all the same.
This whole plot was so well thought out and developed and the pacing was just perfection.
I was completely hooked from start to finish and actually struggled to keep to our Read-Along timeline and not just jump ahead and finish it early (ok, I did a little at the end!)
The characters were so compelling - yes! even the bad guys - in fact, even two characters who didn't physically appear in real time in the book at all! 🤷🏻♀️
I just couldn't stop thinking about them all - even when not reading.
I read a lot of psychological thrillers and honestly, this felt so unique and fresh and it kept me guessing right to the end - the reveals and conclusion shocked and I'm sure I didn't even blink for the last 20%!
Another amazing read by this brilliant author and I literally cannot wait for my next read!
January 28, 2026
Generally speaking, I don't tend to read books a bit dark or suspense-y, but I do try and branch out on occasion and this was one such time.
You could tell from the off that there was something just not right in the memories and relationships at play here. It was also clear that it would be a slow, suspenseful journey to the truth. I did find that as the truth was becoming clearer, I had to re-read sentences again and again, as I still felt quite confused. I think this was because there was so much truth to come out and it was so intricately woven between truths being spoken, body language, snippets of memories, unspoken words. It was so clever, but I think maybe a bit too clever for me!
For me, personally, it was a bit too slow building and didn't properly grip me until the last quarter of the book. So it took me quite a while to get through it as I wasn't totally sure about any of the characters or who to root for!
I did enjoy the relationship between Laurie and Nico and seeing them revisit their past ties. I thought the ending for them was wonderful. I really wanted them to find peace and happiness for themselves.
There is some pretty dark history for most of the characters, and more and more comes out throughout the tale. I was very glad I didn't have a dental phobia otherwise I think it would have grown tenfold! I did think that a lot of the subject matter which could have triggered readers was handled incredibly sensitively.
The ending tied up lots of loose ends, I would have loved to see the full conclusion of Philomena's story, but leaving it a bit unknown has definitely left me wanting more.
I think this will have a huge audience and do well.
You could tell from the off that there was something just not right in the memories and relationships at play here. It was also clear that it would be a slow, suspenseful journey to the truth. I did find that as the truth was becoming clearer, I had to re-read sentences again and again, as I still felt quite confused. I think this was because there was so much truth to come out and it was so intricately woven between truths being spoken, body language, snippets of memories, unspoken words. It was so clever, but I think maybe a bit too clever for me!
For me, personally, it was a bit too slow building and didn't properly grip me until the last quarter of the book. So it took me quite a while to get through it as I wasn't totally sure about any of the characters or who to root for!
I did enjoy the relationship between Laurie and Nico and seeing them revisit their past ties. I thought the ending for them was wonderful. I really wanted them to find peace and happiness for themselves.
There is some pretty dark history for most of the characters, and more and more comes out throughout the tale. I was very glad I didn't have a dental phobia otherwise I think it would have grown tenfold! I did think that a lot of the subject matter which could have triggered readers was handled incredibly sensitively.
The ending tied up lots of loose ends, I would have loved to see the full conclusion of Philomena's story, but leaving it a bit unknown has definitely left me wanting more.
I think this will have a huge audience and do well.
November 26, 2025
Caroline England Strikes Again and Delivers Another Unmissable Psychological Thriller with Behind Her Smile
Caroline England’s Behind Her Smile is a gripping psychological thriller that explores deception, identity, and the façades we maintain. Set against the backdrop of the festive season, Laurie Dunn finds herself returning home just before Christmas after a painful breakup, a time when warmth and family should bring comfort, yet secrets simmer beneath the surface. Caroline's sharp, immersive writing style and layered character development, particularly Laurie and Finn Ballentine, create a tense, unsettling atmosphere that kept me hooked. The slow-burn opening and intricate web of secrets and lies may feel overwhelming for some, but I felt they ultimately enhanced the novel’s psychological depth. Themes of trust and morality resonate strongly, while the formal yet emotionally charged tone amplifies suspense without resorting to sensationalism. Laurie’s relatable strength and Finn’s enigmatic charm drive the narrative, making their dynamic compelling and authentic. For me, this was a masterclass in psychological suspense, disturbing yet addictive and it left me reflecting on how much we hide behind our own “smiles.” If you enjoy twisty plots and morally complex characters, this book will meet and likely exceed, your expectations.
Caroline England’s Behind Her Smile is a gripping psychological thriller that explores deception, identity, and the façades we maintain. Set against the backdrop of the festive season, Laurie Dunn finds herself returning home just before Christmas after a painful breakup, a time when warmth and family should bring comfort, yet secrets simmer beneath the surface. Caroline's sharp, immersive writing style and layered character development, particularly Laurie and Finn Ballentine, create a tense, unsettling atmosphere that kept me hooked. The slow-burn opening and intricate web of secrets and lies may feel overwhelming for some, but I felt they ultimately enhanced the novel’s psychological depth. Themes of trust and morality resonate strongly, while the formal yet emotionally charged tone amplifies suspense without resorting to sensationalism. Laurie’s relatable strength and Finn’s enigmatic charm drive the narrative, making their dynamic compelling and authentic. For me, this was a masterclass in psychological suspense, disturbing yet addictive and it left me reflecting on how much we hide behind our own “smiles.” If you enjoy twisty plots and morally complex characters, this book will meet and likely exceed, your expectations.
January 18, 2026
wow thank you so much to @lovebookstours for having me on this readalong and what a readalong it was.
We have finn who sounds like he has escaped a life in ireland and laurie who had broken up with her ex and trying to kick start her life again. we then discover later in the book that they are exs but decide to help each other when they are both trying to figure things out. Laurie is trying to find out what has happened to her mum and is everything as she was told since a young child. She is also dealing with complications as work when her boss disapears and she gets mugged. Can finn help her discover what is really going on.
Finn is also dealing with starting a new job and trying to get new buisness into the law firm he is now working on and is excited when a rich looking woman comes into his office to ask about marriage help he thinks to start divorce procedings but is this the case and can the woman be trusted and is all as it seems.
i really liked finn and laurie and was hoping theu would get together. They also have an awful lot of twists and turns to deal with and a few times i was like wow when we discovered something. i did not see the ending coming at all this is very twisty and extremley well written.
We have finn who sounds like he has escaped a life in ireland and laurie who had broken up with her ex and trying to kick start her life again. we then discover later in the book that they are exs but decide to help each other when they are both trying to figure things out. Laurie is trying to find out what has happened to her mum and is everything as she was told since a young child. She is also dealing with complications as work when her boss disapears and she gets mugged. Can finn help her discover what is really going on.
Finn is also dealing with starting a new job and trying to get new buisness into the law firm he is now working on and is excited when a rich looking woman comes into his office to ask about marriage help he thinks to start divorce procedings but is this the case and can the woman be trusted and is all as it seems.
i really liked finn and laurie and was hoping theu would get together. They also have an awful lot of twists and turns to deal with and a few times i was like wow when we discovered something. i did not see the ending coming at all this is very twisty and extremley well written.
December 13, 2025
Caroline England is an author who is right at the top of my author list! Behind Her Smile is a book I didn't even need to read the blurb to know I would love it! The skill of this author as a storyteller is top-notch!
This book gripped me from the first page. The characters are crafted superbly,each with their faults and unique complexities.
I have to mention the cover too! Done by Amy Newport, who is a superb artist! It just oozes creepiness! It set my expectations high for this book, and it fulfilled them too!
Caroline England's storytelling is top-notch! The tension and drip-feeding of information throughout just tightens the book's grip as the story unfolds. I was shocked as the twists and turns of the story made me realise everything I thought was actually wrong.
As the pages flew by, I knew I couldn't stop reading this dark and atmospheric story! Not until I had unearthed all the long-buried secrets that seemed to just defy my logic!
Amazing book from a talented author! A must-read!
This book gripped me from the first page. The characters are crafted superbly,each with their faults and unique complexities.
I have to mention the cover too! Done by Amy Newport, who is a superb artist! It just oozes creepiness! It set my expectations high for this book, and it fulfilled them too!
Caroline England's storytelling is top-notch! The tension and drip-feeding of information throughout just tightens the book's grip as the story unfolds. I was shocked as the twists and turns of the story made me realise everything I thought was actually wrong.
As the pages flew by, I knew I couldn't stop reading this dark and atmospheric story! Not until I had unearthed all the long-buried secrets that seemed to just defy my logic!
Amazing book from a talented author! A must-read!
January 31, 2026
A brilliant, twisty, turny adventure that keeps you hooked!
Laurie and Finn have a lot of history that seems quite complicated by there's even more to it that neither one actually realises. Can't give away spoilers but there's some fab twists as you near the end and it does turn up some disturbing things that had been long hidden away in the closet.
Laurie seems to be a 'what you see is what you get' kind of character. She's muddling along and at times luckily isn't on her side. It's easy to like her and I think that keeps you on her side as you switch between her chapters and Finn's. I think Finn is also a likeable character but it takes a little longer to really get to know him.
I like the detail in this as it gives a lot of information to build a picture of setting and circumstance. I didn't have any preconceived ideas of what was to come and there were a few bits where I guessed at some tiny parts but the slow-burn stalls you from putting it all together yourself. Lots of things to unpick with this. 😊
Laurie and Finn have a lot of history that seems quite complicated by there's even more to it that neither one actually realises. Can't give away spoilers but there's some fab twists as you near the end and it does turn up some disturbing things that had been long hidden away in the closet.
Laurie seems to be a 'what you see is what you get' kind of character. She's muddling along and at times luckily isn't on her side. It's easy to like her and I think that keeps you on her side as you switch between her chapters and Finn's. I think Finn is also a likeable character but it takes a little longer to really get to know him.
I like the detail in this as it gives a lot of information to build a picture of setting and circumstance. I didn't have any preconceived ideas of what was to come and there were a few bits where I guessed at some tiny parts but the slow-burn stalls you from putting it all together yourself. Lots of things to unpick with this. 😊
November 13, 2025
The Queen of Domestic Noir has done it again. This is a really dark suspenseful read, full of secrets and lies.
Laurie, poor Laurie. She cant remember much if her childhood, has strange dreams and flashbacks that she can't tell if they are real or fake. She relies on her sister Juliette as her mother died during childbirth, and she has a cold relationship with her father. Forced to return home after breaking up with her boyfriend she is thrown back into the family dynamic. She also finds Finn, a man she loved ay uni, but pushed away.
Finn has his own secrets. Returning to Manchester after splitting from his psycho ex Phil. Sheesh. She's right up there in psychopathy!
This is tense and there is an overlying sense od menace throughout. The secrets and lies are slowly revealed and truths uncovered late on. most of which are utterly shocking. I was absolutely addicted to this and couldn't stop reading.
Laurie, poor Laurie. She cant remember much if her childhood, has strange dreams and flashbacks that she can't tell if they are real or fake. She relies on her sister Juliette as her mother died during childbirth, and she has a cold relationship with her father. Forced to return home after breaking up with her boyfriend she is thrown back into the family dynamic. She also finds Finn, a man she loved ay uni, but pushed away.
Finn has his own secrets. Returning to Manchester after splitting from his psycho ex Phil. Sheesh. She's right up there in psychopathy!
This is tense and there is an overlying sense od menace throughout. The secrets and lies are slowly revealed and truths uncovered late on. most of which are utterly shocking. I was absolutely addicted to this and couldn't stop reading.
January 3, 2026
Huge thank you to Caroline England and LBT tours for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. I am rating this book 4.5 stars! Now on to my thoughts!
This is my first ever read by Caroline England and I have to give all the credit to her because this book was so good! The writing style was incredible and I felt immediately drawn in from the very first prologue read. I was hit with an overwhelming feeling that this was going to be a wild ride and it didn’t disappoint.
It’s a super fast plot that holds you in its grasp until the very end. The family dynamics in this story along with the creepy atmosphere set the perfect environment for a thriller that will get under your skin. The concept of the nightmares stuck with me a lot because I truly feel that dreams and nightmares are always trying to tell you something in your subconscious, so following Laurie’s nightmares definitely set the tone for a whole new brand of thriller. I honestly couldn’t see what was going to happen next which I loved because sometimes if I can guess a plot it takes away from the overall impact of a story for me, but Caroline did an amazing job making this into a very thrilling rollercoaster ride. Plus, the cover is super creepy and drew me in instantly and made me a fan of her work. I honestly want to check out other books written by Caroline.
This is my first ever read by Caroline England and I have to give all the credit to her because this book was so good! The writing style was incredible and I felt immediately drawn in from the very first prologue read. I was hit with an overwhelming feeling that this was going to be a wild ride and it didn’t disappoint.
It’s a super fast plot that holds you in its grasp until the very end. The family dynamics in this story along with the creepy atmosphere set the perfect environment for a thriller that will get under your skin. The concept of the nightmares stuck with me a lot because I truly feel that dreams and nightmares are always trying to tell you something in your subconscious, so following Laurie’s nightmares definitely set the tone for a whole new brand of thriller. I honestly couldn’t see what was going to happen next which I loved because sometimes if I can guess a plot it takes away from the overall impact of a story for me, but Caroline did an amazing job making this into a very thrilling rollercoaster ride. Plus, the cover is super creepy and drew me in instantly and made me a fan of her work. I honestly want to check out other books written by Caroline.
November 11, 2025
4.5* rounded up.
A disturbing slow burner with twisted characters and a deep and menacing plot. Manipulating characters, most are unhinged to some degree, some more than others and there is a conflict of interests when it comes to 'doing the right thing'.
You can't change the past but for Laurie Dunn with reoccurring nightmares and a mental block of her early childhood years not knowing is eating away at her. With love rekindled her heart flips once again but can she trust him this time? It might be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire! Finn has his own secrets....
A well written saga that's complex and intriguing with many curveballs and red herrings to mess with your mind.
Can anyone find trust, faith, love and forgiveness in this tangled web of deceit, lies and hidden secrets....you are about to find out!
A disturbing slow burner with twisted characters and a deep and menacing plot. Manipulating characters, most are unhinged to some degree, some more than others and there is a conflict of interests when it comes to 'doing the right thing'.
You can't change the past but for Laurie Dunn with reoccurring nightmares and a mental block of her early childhood years not knowing is eating away at her. With love rekindled her heart flips once again but can she trust him this time? It might be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire! Finn has his own secrets....
A well written saga that's complex and intriguing with many curveballs and red herrings to mess with your mind.
Can anyone find trust, faith, love and forgiveness in this tangled web of deceit, lies and hidden secrets....you are about to find out!
December 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve read quite a few books by Caroline England and they have all been so good.
Laurie was a criminal lawyer. After her relationship broke up and she moved out of her boyfriend’s flat she found herself living back at home with her dad and her sister. They lived in a large house and they all had their own areas of the house and her dad and sister had a dental surgery attached to the property.
Laurie went to collect her belongings from Nico’s flat and she found Finn there- Nico’s friend and someone that Laurie had been with while at university.
Laurie and Finn had unfinished business and tried hard to ignore it. They both had secrets and issues with their past and thought that getting together would make this even worse.
A fab read and one that I would definitely recommend.
Laurie was a criminal lawyer. After her relationship broke up and she moved out of her boyfriend’s flat she found herself living back at home with her dad and her sister. They lived in a large house and they all had their own areas of the house and her dad and sister had a dental surgery attached to the property.
Laurie went to collect her belongings from Nico’s flat and she found Finn there- Nico’s friend and someone that Laurie had been with while at university.
Laurie and Finn had unfinished business and tried hard to ignore it. They both had secrets and issues with their past and thought that getting together would make this even worse.
A fab read and one that I would definitely recommend.
November 26, 2025
What a fabulously dark and intriguing read. I was very quickly hooked into Laurie’s story as it bursts off the page with some really dynamic action. Straight away I wanted to know more about her. In fact all of the characters in this are tightly defined, making them ‘real’ and showing, in some, their flaws.
The plot is intricately fascinating, undercurrents of mystery from the past niggling away in your brain, as Caroline England teases the reader with just enough titbits to try to predict where the storyline might take you.
Whatever you might think, you’re probably wrong. There is so much to love about this book, so many mini stories within the main plot, like the mystery of Laurie’s employer, to name just one.
This story has a bit of everything sprinkled in it, dark family secrets, parental love, a bit of romance, a murder, complicated relationships, some cross-wires, chicken therapy, the list goes on!
With likeable protagonists in Laurie and Finn, the prose flows, carrying you along with their stories. As you begin to unravel the story, layer upon layer of intrigue emerges. The pace is thrilling, building to a satisfyingly brilliant conclusion. I absolutely loved this book!
The plot is intricately fascinating, undercurrents of mystery from the past niggling away in your brain, as Caroline England teases the reader with just enough titbits to try to predict where the storyline might take you.
Whatever you might think, you’re probably wrong. There is so much to love about this book, so many mini stories within the main plot, like the mystery of Laurie’s employer, to name just one.
This story has a bit of everything sprinkled in it, dark family secrets, parental love, a bit of romance, a murder, complicated relationships, some cross-wires, chicken therapy, the list goes on!
With likeable protagonists in Laurie and Finn, the prose flows, carrying you along with their stories. As you begin to unravel the story, layer upon layer of intrigue emerges. The pace is thrilling, building to a satisfyingly brilliant conclusion. I absolutely loved this book!
December 7, 2025
Behind her smile is another top notch read from Caroline England, full of intrigue, I knew from the start I was going to love it!, the scene was set for a gripping story, one that is enveloped in darkness and as always with the Author, the description and detail to each character brings the storyline alive, adding to that special realism in her writing, and for me that just adds to the mystery. As the tension slowly builds throughout and
long buried secrets are revealed, the lies and deceit are quite shocking, it is a real rollercoaster of emotions, it kept me guessing right up to the end where the threads were going, but my goodness, I was not expecting that!.
long buried secrets are revealed, the lies and deceit are quite shocking, it is a real rollercoaster of emotions, it kept me guessing right up to the end where the threads were going, but my goodness, I was not expecting that!.
January 30, 2026
This one started out fairly slow and not a lot really happened for the first half of the book. However even in this first half I could feel something building and couldn’t put it down, I just had to know more.
The story was told in such a way that you could really feel everything that was happening like it was real and not some far fetched story.
Everytime I thought I had an idea of what was going on there was another twist that had me questioning everything. I definitely was not expecting or prepared for that ending.
I really enjoyed this one and will def read more from this author and I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers
The story was told in such a way that you could really feel everything that was happening like it was real and not some far fetched story.
Everytime I thought I had an idea of what was going on there was another twist that had me questioning everything. I definitely was not expecting or prepared for that ending.
I really enjoyed this one and will def read more from this author and I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers
November 15, 2025
Thank you for the ARC of this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I found myself totally gripped from the start, feeling like I knew Laurie from how her story was told. I live in Sale, Altrincham is just around the corner from me so to read local references was a nice bonus.
A very twisted story that has you hooked from the start, I thought I had it all worked out around half way through but I hadn’t, the finish twist is well worth the read. Highly recommended
A very twisted story that has you hooked from the start, I thought I had it all worked out around half way through but I hadn’t, the finish twist is well worth the read. Highly recommended
January 22, 2026
this wasnt my usual kind of thriller book not what i was expecting but i love it it grips you in from the start to the very end, it has family secrets, old but new love interests, you get to see from both sides. lauries issues at work and home and finns issues and their connections that link. i read this as part of a readlong witj lovebooktours and was gifted the physical book from them and the author caroline england. thank you.
January 25, 2026
I really enjoy novels by Caroline England because they are dark and take a twist you don't expect.
Behind Her Smile delivers the same and I really enjoyed it. There are TW so be sure to check those out.
Laurie has had a difficult childhood to say the least. When she moves back home things start to unravel.
I love Caroline's writing style and how she tells the story she hooks you in and just when you thought you know, you realize you have no idea.
I did find the beginning slow to start with but then all of a sudden I was hooked and I couldn't put it down! the twists the outcome. I didn't know where it was all going.
Behind Her Smile delivers the same and I really enjoyed it. There are TW so be sure to check those out.
Laurie has had a difficult childhood to say the least. When she moves back home things start to unravel.
I love Caroline's writing style and how she tells the story she hooks you in and just when you thought you know, you realize you have no idea.
I did find the beginning slow to start with but then all of a sudden I was hooked and I couldn't put it down! the twists the outcome. I didn't know where it was all going.
November 12, 2025
Another great read from this author.
The secrets kept hidden in this family are deep and very dark.
Laurie and her sister miss having a mum. Their Dad has done his best. But the dark clouds mean things have held Laurie back in some ways.
She remeets a past boyfriend and as they get to reknow each other the hidden things begin to rise. Including his own past too.
Well written, covered and such a good background.
Very good read
The secrets kept hidden in this family are deep and very dark.
Laurie and her sister miss having a mum. Their Dad has done his best. But the dark clouds mean things have held Laurie back in some ways.
She remeets a past boyfriend and as they get to reknow each other the hidden things begin to rise. Including his own past too.
Well written, covered and such a good background.
Very good read
January 22, 2026
Initially I was confused 😅 I couldn’t see how the plot was connecting or the relevance to the information that was being given but as the story developed I became engrossed in the story and trying to solve the mystery
Overall a really good psychological thriller that gave me the creeps, the ending just felt a little rushed to come to a conclusion
Overall a really good psychological thriller that gave me the creeps, the ending just felt a little rushed to come to a conclusion
November 15, 2025
This gripping book had me hooked.
There was plenty to keep me guessing right until the end, which I love in a book.
It would be great to have the characters appear in another book as I’d love to know what is next for them.
There was plenty to keep me guessing right until the end, which I love in a book.
It would be great to have the characters appear in another book as I’d love to know what is next for them.
December 3, 2025
I do love a Caroline England book and this doesn’t disappoint . A dark suspenseful book with lies and secrets. Great characters and story line. This book gripped me from the beginning and kept me wanting more till the end. I believe Caroline’s books should be made into a good tv series .
January 16, 2026
Another of Caroline's books that had got me engrossed early on, I like the dual pov's from Laurie and Finn. We learn of her and Nico but that isn't the main story. Laurie uncovers a lot of secrets from her past when she goes into the attic of her childhood home. I can't imagine how she feels when she finds out the truth of what her family hid from her. I was very intrigued when things were hinted at and it's all explained well throughout.
Laurie's dementia addled dad is a cause for concern for her when he mentions a name supposedly from her childhood she has no recollection of, she must dig through pandora's box to gain knowledge and memories.
I really liked Finn in this, his joining up with Laurie is a good idea and it's worth a read as they unearth secrets together, some worse than others.
I like how quick I can get into Caroline's books and this one is no different!
Laurie's dementia addled dad is a cause for concern for her when he mentions a name supposedly from her childhood she has no recollection of, she must dig through pandora's box to gain knowledge and memories.
I really liked Finn in this, his joining up with Laurie is a good idea and it's worth a read as they unearth secrets together, some worse than others.
I like how quick I can get into Caroline's books and this one is no different!
December 3, 2025
A gripping and emotionally sharp story that peels back layers of deceit and desire, pulling you in with steady suspense and leaving you fascinated by how easily a perfect facade can crack.
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