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The Move
Can you paint over the cracks in a marriage?
Karen has packed up her life and is making The Move. She’s on her way to the idyllic country cottage which her husband has painstakingly renovated for her. They’re escaping the London bustle and the daily grind. And they’re escaping their past.
A fresh start in a beautiful, peaceful village. It will be different here, right?
But something is awry. The landscape, breathtaking by day, is eerie by night. The longed-for peace and solitude is stifling. And the house, so artfully put together by her husband, has a strange vibe. Now that Karen is cut off from her old friends and family, she can’t help wondering if her husband has plans of his own, and that history might be repeating itself.
Praise for The Move:
‘Felicity has the reader gripped when she explores unhealthy relationships based on insecurity and delusion. She writes with a raw realism’ Adele Parks, Platinum
‘Dark and foreboding’ Sunday Post
‘Tense and tightly plotted’ Woman
‘Gripping’ Closer
From the author of the bestselling The People at Number 9 comes a dark and redemptive tale of a rural dream gone wrong…
‘Felicity has the reader gripped when she explores unhealthy relationships based on insecurity and delusion. She writes with a raw realism’ Adele Parks, Platinum
‘A dark and foreboding tale of a rural dream gone wrong; of what can happen when we try to paint over the cracks’ Sunday Post
‘Dark and gripping, this tale is perfect for snuggling up with by the fire with a glass or two of wine’ Closer
‘Tense and tightly plotted’ Woman
‘I loved the author’s writing style, the complexities of the plot, and how she was able to use imagery to make the landscape seem more beautiful or ominous to the reader’ Emma’s Biblio Treasures
Praise for Felicity Everett:
‘An exciting, dark novel about friendship; brutally truthful and raw’ Adele Parks
‘This was clever, relentless and utterly recognisable. I absolutely loved it!’ Katie Fforde
‘Excruciating yet unputdownable, this is domestic noir at its most gripping’ Woman Home
Karen has packed up her life and is making The Move. She’s on her way to the idyllic country cottage which her husband has painstakingly renovated for her. They’re escaping the London bustle and the daily grind. And they’re escaping their past.
A fresh start in a beautiful, peaceful village. It will be different here, right?
But something is awry. The landscape, breathtaking by day, is eerie by night. The longed-for peace and solitude is stifling. And the house, so artfully put together by her husband, has a strange vibe. Now that Karen is cut off from her old friends and family, she can’t help wondering if her husband has plans of his own, and that history might be repeating itself.
Praise for The Move:
‘Felicity has the reader gripped when she explores unhealthy relationships based on insecurity and delusion. She writes with a raw realism’ Adele Parks, Platinum
‘Dark and foreboding’ Sunday Post
‘Tense and tightly plotted’ Woman
‘Gripping’ Closer
From the author of the bestselling The People at Number 9 comes a dark and redemptive tale of a rural dream gone wrong…
‘Felicity has the reader gripped when she explores unhealthy relationships based on insecurity and delusion. She writes with a raw realism’ Adele Parks, Platinum
‘A dark and foreboding tale of a rural dream gone wrong; of what can happen when we try to paint over the cracks’ Sunday Post
‘Dark and gripping, this tale is perfect for snuggling up with by the fire with a glass or two of wine’ Closer
‘Tense and tightly plotted’ Woman
‘I loved the author’s writing style, the complexities of the plot, and how she was able to use imagery to make the landscape seem more beautiful or ominous to the reader’ Emma’s Biblio Treasures
Praise for Felicity Everett:
‘An exciting, dark novel about friendship; brutally truthful and raw’ Adele Parks
‘This was clever, relentless and utterly recognisable. I absolutely loved it!’ Katie Fforde
‘Excruciating yet unputdownable, this is domestic noir at its most gripping’ Woman Home
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2020
137 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Felicity Everett
42 books54 followersFelicity Everett grew up in Manchester and studied English Literature at Sussex University. She worked in children's publishing in London, whilst raising a family and is the author of more than twenty works of children's fiction and non-fiction. After a short career break, Felicity returned to writing adult fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
November 17, 2025
I am very excited to be part of the Blog Tour for The Move by Felicity Everett. Especially on New Year’s Day, finishing the year with a blog tour. Thank you to the team at HQ, for sending me an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Karen moves into a new home with her husband Nick. It is a new house and a fresh start. But it is still the same husband.
I do love myself a bit of family thriller and drama novels. The Move seemed like the perfect choice to get myself cosy, right before saying goodbye to the old year and entering the “new year – new me” attitude. And in the end, it does have this vibe, as our main female protagonist finds her true self and starts making the right choices in her life.
However, this book was not as exciting as I expected it to be.
There is a woman that is going through a hard time and a mental health recovery, judging by her memories and thoughts. Her husband had an affair and she didn’t handle that well at all. But now, it seems that she is well. Her husband got them a new home, with new neighbors, in the idyllic little village, where she can do the things she loves the most.
But her neighbors are not the best kind of type – they all seem weird. And her husband is not really listening to her when she speaks. Her child Ethan is here and there, the relationship shattered by the actions of his father.
And we spend the whole book standing by Karen’s side, watching all the dull things she is doing in the house, talking to her neighbors and being depressed and constantly worrying about everything.
I felt bad for Karen, because she is still going through a mental breakdown, even though really trying to figure out her life. She is really trying, but her husband, friends and neighbors are slowly pushing her down again. The Move has a very big voice on mental health. How important it is that we have our support network next to us, and I am glad that Karen finds Cath in all that mess of a life. Also, how important it is to trust your own guts. When all your friends keep telling you your marriage is perfect and you are so lucky, only because it looks so from the outside, you shouldn’t always believe them. Don’t ever ignore the little things. And don’t ever stay with a man that doesn’t believe in you.
As far as the book goes though, it was quite monotonous and uninteresting. No major plot twists, no big cliff-hanger. I was reading the whole time, waiting for the big moment to come, and it never did.
And in the end, even though we clearly know what choice Karen makes for her life, we don’t have a conclusive ending. We have one of those endings that sort of finishes and lets the reader figure out what happens next. I am not a fan of those, and it might be why I am slightly disappointed in how it all wrapped up.
I would still recommend it if you love family dramas and thrillers. However, if you are expecting for a book that will keep you on the edge, I am afraid you need to still keep looking.
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Karen moves into a new home with her husband Nick. It is a new house and a fresh start. But it is still the same husband.
I do love myself a bit of family thriller and drama novels. The Move seemed like the perfect choice to get myself cosy, right before saying goodbye to the old year and entering the “new year – new me” attitude. And in the end, it does have this vibe, as our main female protagonist finds her true self and starts making the right choices in her life.
However, this book was not as exciting as I expected it to be.
There is a woman that is going through a hard time and a mental health recovery, judging by her memories and thoughts. Her husband had an affair and she didn’t handle that well at all. But now, it seems that she is well. Her husband got them a new home, with new neighbors, in the idyllic little village, where she can do the things she loves the most.
But her neighbors are not the best kind of type – they all seem weird. And her husband is not really listening to her when she speaks. Her child Ethan is here and there, the relationship shattered by the actions of his father.
And we spend the whole book standing by Karen’s side, watching all the dull things she is doing in the house, talking to her neighbors and being depressed and constantly worrying about everything.
I felt bad for Karen, because she is still going through a mental breakdown, even though really trying to figure out her life. She is really trying, but her husband, friends and neighbors are slowly pushing her down again. The Move has a very big voice on mental health. How important it is that we have our support network next to us, and I am glad that Karen finds Cath in all that mess of a life. Also, how important it is to trust your own guts. When all your friends keep telling you your marriage is perfect and you are so lucky, only because it looks so from the outside, you shouldn’t always believe them. Don’t ever ignore the little things. And don’t ever stay with a man that doesn’t believe in you.
As far as the book goes though, it was quite monotonous and uninteresting. No major plot twists, no big cliff-hanger. I was reading the whole time, waiting for the big moment to come, and it never did.
And in the end, even though we clearly know what choice Karen makes for her life, we don’t have a conclusive ending. We have one of those endings that sort of finishes and lets the reader figure out what happens next. I am not a fan of those, and it might be why I am slightly disappointed in how it all wrapped up.
I would still recommend it if you love family dramas and thrillers. However, if you are expecting for a book that will keep you on the edge, I am afraid you need to still keep looking.
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November 17, 2020
A very flowery descriptive wordy book with a great cover, good premise but sadly little else
Already irritated by the frequent new words in the first chapters, ( no one minds a few new words but when you get the feeling the author is using them just to use them and almost ‘show off’ it stops being interesting and turns into a pain ) I was further alienated as the story progressed as to what the plot was? where the book was going?and why?
There was a vague story about a couple moving to the Country from London to save their marriage after he had an affair and she ended up in hospital but really too vague to talk about and the characters were not in some cases just unlikeable,but in the case of Ethan the teenage son totally repugnant and the vile way he spoke to his Mum was just shocking as was her simpering to him after he had done so, there was a few randomly thrown in sex scenes totally out of sorts with the rest of the book and much dull talk about pottery, way too much talk about pottery, I guess it’s one of those things you love or dont but it’s risky to fill a book with it!
Some of the new village characters were interesting and the competition and sparring between them fun to read and you got a good idea of the village life and hierarchy
Sadly though the book ended as limply as it started, disappointing
3/10
1.5 Stars
Already irritated by the frequent new words in the first chapters, ( no one minds a few new words but when you get the feeling the author is using them just to use them and almost ‘show off’ it stops being interesting and turns into a pain ) I was further alienated as the story progressed as to what the plot was? where the book was going?and why?
There was a vague story about a couple moving to the Country from London to save their marriage after he had an affair and she ended up in hospital but really too vague to talk about and the characters were not in some cases just unlikeable,but in the case of Ethan the teenage son totally repugnant and the vile way he spoke to his Mum was just shocking as was her simpering to him after he had done so, there was a few randomly thrown in sex scenes totally out of sorts with the rest of the book and much dull talk about pottery, way too much talk about pottery, I guess it’s one of those things you love or dont but it’s risky to fill a book with it!
Some of the new village characters were interesting and the competition and sparring between them fun to read and you got a good idea of the village life and hierarchy
Sadly though the book ended as limply as it started, disappointing
3/10
1.5 Stars
January 29, 2021
I thought this would be some psychological thriller, even the blurb hints at a house with a strange vibe and the idea of isolation as Karen is leaving the bustle of London for an idyllic cottage that her husband Nick had recently renovated.
In truth this is a character study, Karen had struggled with her mental health once she found out that Nick had been having an affair.
The Move was his way of trying to patch up the marragie.
The novel follows the couple meeting their various names during the most ordinary of circumstances - like a pub quiz.
I kept waiting for a really big twist which even the plot was hinted towards, only the appearance of a dead bird in her studio caused any real drama.
Once I'd realized this wasn't quite the book that I was expecting I tried to enjoy it for the story it was telling.
In truth this is a character study, Karen had struggled with her mental health once she found out that Nick had been having an affair.
The Move was his way of trying to patch up the marragie.
The novel follows the couple meeting their various names during the most ordinary of circumstances - like a pub quiz.
I kept waiting for a really big twist which even the plot was hinted towards, only the appearance of a dead bird in her studio caused any real drama.
Once I'd realized this wasn't quite the book that I was expecting I tried to enjoy it for the story it was telling.
June 11, 2023
Honestly what did I just read?? Literally nothing happened in this book. There was absolutely no point to this book. I kept reading because I thought it had to get better or have a twist or have some form of anything. But it was monotonous. Start to end. With a weird ending!
Please save yourself, don’t pick this book up. There are too many books in the world to waste your time with these
Please save yourself, don’t pick this book up. There are too many books in the world to waste your time with these
August 11, 2019
Karen and Nick move to an idyllic village from London to start a new life and also for Karen who appears to have had some sort of mental breakdown, to recover and repair their relationship.
After meeting their neighbours, several strange events occur which leave Karen feeling insecure and suspicious. While Nick seems to be embracing the country life and their pretty neighbour a little too much!!
I’m in two minds about this book as it is beautifully written and there are some great characters, but I was expecting it to be more of a thriller and the ending seemed rather rushed.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
After meeting their neighbours, several strange events occur which leave Karen feeling insecure and suspicious. While Nick seems to be embracing the country life and their pretty neighbour a little too much!!
I’m in two minds about this book as it is beautifully written and there are some great characters, but I was expecting it to be more of a thriller and the ending seemed rather rushed.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
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February 2, 2020Karen and Nick moved to a cottage in an idyllic village to get away from the hustle of London. Karen is still recovering from a mental breakdown. They are also trying to fix their marriage. They start making ew friends with the neighbours. It's not to long before Karen becomes suspicious of Nick.
The story is beautifully written with fantastic details and descriptions. But there seemed to be no actual plotline. We learn of Karenand Nick's relationship and why Karen had her breakdown. Some of the story will be relatable to some readers. This wasnt the psychological thriller I thought it would be, it's more domestic drama. I kept waiting for the big twist but it never came. The ending felt a it flat.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Felicity Everatt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is beautifully written with fantastic details and descriptions. But there seemed to be no actual plotline. We learn of Karenand Nick's relationship and why Karen had her breakdown. Some of the story will be relatable to some readers. This wasnt the psychological thriller I thought it would be, it's more domestic drama. I kept waiting for the big twist but it never came. The ending felt a it flat.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Felicity Everatt for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2020
Karen and Nick have moved to a cottage in an idyllic village to get away from the hustle of living in London. Karen is still recovering from a mental breakdown. They are also trying to fix their marriage. They start making new friends with the neighbours. It's not long before Karen becomes suspicious of Nick.
The story is beautifully written with fantastic details and descriptions. But there seemed to be no actual plotline. We learn of Karen and Nick's relationship and why Karen had a breakdown. Some of the story will be relatable to some readers. This wasnt the psychological thriller I thought it would be, it was more domestic drama. I kept waiting for the big twist ut it never came. The ending felt a bit flat.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Felicity Everett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is beautifully written with fantastic details and descriptions. But there seemed to be no actual plotline. We learn of Karen and Nick's relationship and why Karen had a breakdown. Some of the story will be relatable to some readers. This wasnt the psychological thriller I thought it would be, it was more domestic drama. I kept waiting for the big twist ut it never came. The ending felt a bit flat.
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Felicity Everett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2020
I only have one thing to say about this book: And? This story had no plot, no direction and no purpose. This book was one huge "so what." I kept waiting for anything to take place but nada. No clear character development never mind character outline, no background info which led to a huge disconnect with the characters, no work on the marriage between the two main characters or on any of the relationships in this book and no reasoning or intel is given as to why any situation has occured, past or present. This book was just plain boring.
February 18, 2020
One of those books where you feel you want to finish, then get to the 'end' and wish you hadn't bothered.
October 8, 2023
It hooks you in and has a good flow. The main problem is though not that much happens the plot needed to be much more. You did not feel for the characters that much. I have read better I have read worse. 2.5 stars
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September 5, 2023DNF
August 7, 2019
“The Move” is beautifully written, but I was expecting a domestic thriller novel, and that’s definitely not what I got. While the story is well set up - a couple moving to an idyllic village so that the wife can recover from what we assume to be some kind of mental illness, only to face strange events in their new community - it just never really goes anywhere. Is the husband cheating? Did someone intentionally leave a dead crow in Karen’s workshop? We don’t know; nothing is answered. And while I do enjoy some things being left to the reader’s imagination, it felt like the whole book was left to the reader to finish for themselves, with an ending that came out of nowhere and which was both quick and unsatisfying. The characters were well written, and the writing was great, but this one just left me a bit cold. Nothing of any real interest happened, it went nowhere, and then it ended. I didn’t not enjoy it but I was definitely left wanting by this book, which was carried by the quality of the writing and not at all by the plot.
Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2019
I absolutely loved Felicity's previous book 'The People At Number 9' and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of her next book 'The Move'. The synopsis just screamed 'you need to read me as soon as possible' at me and so I decided to do as I was told (for once). I grabbed a cup of tea, made myself comfy on the sofa and began to read. 'The Move' was certainly an interesting read, which I did enjoy but more about that in a bit.
I can honestly say that I didn't take to either of the main characters one little bit. The main characters being Karen and Nick, who are a married couple. It's obvious from pretty early on in the book that something happened which threatened the future of the marriage. I won't go into too much detail as to who has done what because I would hate to give too much away. The couple decide to move to the country and start afresh. It is hoped that they can make a go of the marriage. Nick is a ladies man and don't we know it. He thinks nothing of flirting with the ladies and in plain view of his wife. He thinks he is charming but to be honest he is anything but charming. Karen comes across as a bit needy and always on the lookout for signs that things are going to go wrong. She is also rather blinkered in many ways. I got the impression that they are both trying too hard and that each of them are keeping little secrets. To say that they want to make a go of living in the country, they certainly don't know how to go about making friends. The pair of them occasionally make snide comments about their neighbours or mock their houses and on occasion Nick and their friends from the city mock their neighbours' attempt to be friendly by giving them presents. For me the comment that made me decide they had gone too far was the fact that Nick and their friends were all snooty about their neighbours make chutney!! If I was to meet either Karen or Nick, I would give them a wide berth and avoid interaction with them as much as I could.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of chapters, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read. I wasn't wrong either. 'The Move' wasn't a book that I could binge read over the course of a day but I did read it over the space of a couple of days. The more I read, the more intrigued I became and I just had to keep reading to discover what happened to Nick and Karen. I would say that I seemed to fly through the last third of the book. The pages were turning increasingly quickly as my desperation to discover how the story concluded grew and grew. All too quickly, I reached the end of the book which I was disappointed about. Although I didn't take to either of the lead characters, I was enjoying the book that much that I just wanted the story to continue on and on.
'The Move' is well written. Felicity has a writing style that draws you into the story from the start and once she has your attention, she will not release it until the moment you close the back cover. Felicity has created complex and multi layered characters, who are most definitely interesting. I loved the way in which Felicity steadily cranks up the level of tension in the book. I can't say that the book is particularly fast paced to start with but as the story continues the tension gradually builds- you know something big is on the way but Felicity certainly keeps you guessing as to what the big thing could be.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading 'The Move'. It was an interesting and intriguing read, which I would recommend to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Felicity's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I can honestly say that I didn't take to either of the main characters one little bit. The main characters being Karen and Nick, who are a married couple. It's obvious from pretty early on in the book that something happened which threatened the future of the marriage. I won't go into too much detail as to who has done what because I would hate to give too much away. The couple decide to move to the country and start afresh. It is hoped that they can make a go of the marriage. Nick is a ladies man and don't we know it. He thinks nothing of flirting with the ladies and in plain view of his wife. He thinks he is charming but to be honest he is anything but charming. Karen comes across as a bit needy and always on the lookout for signs that things are going to go wrong. She is also rather blinkered in many ways. I got the impression that they are both trying too hard and that each of them are keeping little secrets. To say that they want to make a go of living in the country, they certainly don't know how to go about making friends. The pair of them occasionally make snide comments about their neighbours or mock their houses and on occasion Nick and their friends from the city mock their neighbours' attempt to be friendly by giving them presents. For me the comment that made me decide they had gone too far was the fact that Nick and their friends were all snooty about their neighbours make chutney!! If I was to meet either Karen or Nick, I would give them a wide berth and avoid interaction with them as much as I could.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of chapters, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read. I wasn't wrong either. 'The Move' wasn't a book that I could binge read over the course of a day but I did read it over the space of a couple of days. The more I read, the more intrigued I became and I just had to keep reading to discover what happened to Nick and Karen. I would say that I seemed to fly through the last third of the book. The pages were turning increasingly quickly as my desperation to discover how the story concluded grew and grew. All too quickly, I reached the end of the book which I was disappointed about. Although I didn't take to either of the lead characters, I was enjoying the book that much that I just wanted the story to continue on and on.
'The Move' is well written. Felicity has a writing style that draws you into the story from the start and once she has your attention, she will not release it until the moment you close the back cover. Felicity has created complex and multi layered characters, who are most definitely interesting. I loved the way in which Felicity steadily cranks up the level of tension in the book. I can't say that the book is particularly fast paced to start with but as the story continues the tension gradually builds- you know something big is on the way but Felicity certainly keeps you guessing as to what the big thing could be.
In short and overall I did enjoy reading 'The Move'. It was an interesting and intriguing read, which I would recommend to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Felicity's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
April 24, 2021
Was there even an ending to this book? So many unanswered questions. I actually regretted spending the time finishing. The review on the front says ‘dark and gripping’ I would summarise as ‘stupid and annoying’
Sorry Felicity Everett but having also read the people at number 9 I find your writing to be lazy and always without a conclusion. Spare a thought for your readers who invest themselves in your characters only to find the ending of your book sudden and without any finality.
Sorry Felicity Everett but having also read the people at number 9 I find your writing to be lazy and always without a conclusion. Spare a thought for your readers who invest themselves in your characters only to find the ending of your book sudden and without any finality.
August 16, 2019
I enjoyed the author's writing in this book and also her characters - I could fully imagine the location and setting and the various neighbours. However, the plot was absent and I kept waiting for something to happen to heighten the suspense. When I finished the book, I was disappointed.
December 28, 2019
Karen has packed up her life and is making The Move. She’s on her way to the idyllic country cottage which her husband has painstakingly renovated for her. They’re escaping the London bustle and the daily grind. And they’re escaping their past. A fresh start in a beautiful, peaceful village. It will be different here, right? But something is awry. The landscape, breathtaking by day, is eerie by night. The longed-for peace and solitude is stifling. And the house, so artfully put together by her husband, has a strange vibe. Now that Karen is cut off from her old friends and family, she can’t help wondering if her husband has plans of his own, and that history might be repeating itself.
I loved the atmosphere of this book, it was very intense and had me hanging on, just waiting for twists and turns to happen. I did find myself inexplicably gripped by the goings on and found this an exhilarating read. I adored the setting of a beautiful country village. Despite living near so much open space, the plot felt claustrophobic and electrifying.
The plot centres around Karen and Nick’s marriage and the truth behind the many secrets. As the book progresses it is clear that neither of them are quite what they want you to believe. I enjoyed learning about them and their past.
The characters in this are a good mix and we have the addition of eclectic villagers as well. They are all realistic and all flawed, which only helps them feel realistic. I enjoyed what they bring to the plot and entering their world.
It is hard to say much without revealing anything but Everett does build and build an intensity the whole way through the book, disappointingly the ending is weak and I feel Everett could have done more with it.
Overall, ‘The Move’ is a deliciously suspicious read that centres around an intriguing couple and their marriage. With a few changes this could have been five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.
I loved the atmosphere of this book, it was very intense and had me hanging on, just waiting for twists and turns to happen. I did find myself inexplicably gripped by the goings on and found this an exhilarating read. I adored the setting of a beautiful country village. Despite living near so much open space, the plot felt claustrophobic and electrifying.
The plot centres around Karen and Nick’s marriage and the truth behind the many secrets. As the book progresses it is clear that neither of them are quite what they want you to believe. I enjoyed learning about them and their past.
The characters in this are a good mix and we have the addition of eclectic villagers as well. They are all realistic and all flawed, which only helps them feel realistic. I enjoyed what they bring to the plot and entering their world.
It is hard to say much without revealing anything but Everett does build and build an intensity the whole way through the book, disappointingly the ending is weak and I feel Everett could have done more with it.
Overall, ‘The Move’ is a deliciously suspicious read that centres around an intriguing couple and their marriage. With a few changes this could have been five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy.
August 23, 2023
I was very disappointed with the storyline, it alluded to drama and suspense but I never really got that vibe. Karen was clearly recovering from a breakdown following her husband’s affair and to be honest I thought he was a huge prick in how he treated her afterwards, really didn’t like his character and was hoping for some kind of huge showdown between the pair, alas that was not to be. Thought her son, Ethan, could have been explored a bit more as well. Really pleased she found a friend in Cath and again thought this could have been explored more. All in all disappointing, hence the 2 stars.
June 23, 2020
Didn't like the main characters at all except for Cath a neighbor. Main character Karen was very scattered and flighty and suffering from the "trauma" of her husband cheating on her. Yet she was the cause of his first marriage breaking up. I had very little sympathy for her and this story dragged.
June 9, 2021
I feel like this book lied to me.. from the cover and the read up I was expecting a really good psychological thriller. but it definately wasn't. To be honest the story itself has promise but it just didn't work because nothing actually happens. I was so close to DNF'ing it numerous times but I kept on reading thinking somethings going to happen in a minute and it's going to blow my mind.. and... yeah.. it didn't.
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August 15, 2020creepy unlikable characters, no actual plot, not sure why I finished it
November 13, 2020
I am not quite sure how to review this book. It is not a thriller of any kind and we have no clearly defined end but it makes you think. By which I mean, we never quite know if Karen is imagining things or if Nick, her husband, isn’t quite what he seems.
Karen doesn’t address anything and you do get the sense that she is quite downtrodden and made to feel she is nothing special. This made me angry, no one should make you feel like this. It was heartbreaking to read. She has had a breakdown following revelations about Nick, ones she witnesses first hand. This move is to rebuild this but does anything really get rebuilt and forgotten?!
It was interesting to see how the move from London to a quaint village goes. From the hustle and bustle to the quietness. Karen fears something sinister is going on in the evenings but can we quite believe her. Things start to happen, but nothing I felt as addressed, definitely make your own mind up time. I have my own ideas to what is happening but won’t spoil it here.
This book can’t really be pigeonholed into a genre. It’s more a book that focuses on this couple and where they are in their life right now and what they may or may not do to to make some sort of peace. Will Karen recover? Will she forgive? Can Nick behave?
It’s hard to review this book because well, not a lot happens. But that is not to say that this a bad book because it really is not, it is fascinating. To be honest, I have enjoyed this way more than other similar books. It reminded me of Bitter, Looker, Finders Keepers to name a few, all assessing basically the mental wellbeing of someone, really we just get to people watch and who doesn’t love that! It is a look into lives, how events have affected them and what they do to resolve this. Even though I felt not a lot was going, I was never bored, I quite enjoyed the easy pace of the book. The slowness, the unravelling of the past and realisation that maybe everything isn’t what it seems. Things come to a head near the end and I was cheering. I was cheering for the strength of the characters and the realisation that they are a somebody and they matter. Its an insight into toxic relationships and the hostility that can be felt behind closed doors.
But for Cath, she is a joy and beacon of light and this neighbour plays a part in Karen’s life and her acceptance to see herself as something. As we all know mental health issues are not something you can box up all nice and hope it goes away, and some characters in this book just comprehend this and do more damage from their lack of sensitivity. The rawness we have on some scenes where Karen tries to justify some of the actions, had me thinking oh I use to do that. Where you felt it was your fault that x,y,z act the way they do because of something you did or didn’t do or say. It’s amazing how much you can let someone affect you if you let them.
As I said before, the pace of the book is nice and slow, we take each day of recovery as it comes. I found that the writing was quite nice with the gorgeous landscaped views, the mundane day to day, the pottery kiln. I was engrossed in The Move, mainly just to make sure Karen was ok. I think I am confident in saying when I closed my kindle she will be ok.
I feel like I could talk about this book for ages, I do find it fascinating reading books that focus on a person at a particular time in their lives. Watching their life completely day by day, all the mundane, hearing their thoughts, insecurities and fears. This book captures that, it is not a book of thrills and spills but an almost real-life piece instead. A journey, that pretty much we all have done, not necessarily the same circumstances, but nevertheless a journey all the same. It was nice to step away from my journey for that short while and experience that.
Karen doesn’t address anything and you do get the sense that she is quite downtrodden and made to feel she is nothing special. This made me angry, no one should make you feel like this. It was heartbreaking to read. She has had a breakdown following revelations about Nick, ones she witnesses first hand. This move is to rebuild this but does anything really get rebuilt and forgotten?!
It was interesting to see how the move from London to a quaint village goes. From the hustle and bustle to the quietness. Karen fears something sinister is going on in the evenings but can we quite believe her. Things start to happen, but nothing I felt as addressed, definitely make your own mind up time. I have my own ideas to what is happening but won’t spoil it here.
This book can’t really be pigeonholed into a genre. It’s more a book that focuses on this couple and where they are in their life right now and what they may or may not do to to make some sort of peace. Will Karen recover? Will she forgive? Can Nick behave?
It’s hard to review this book because well, not a lot happens. But that is not to say that this a bad book because it really is not, it is fascinating. To be honest, I have enjoyed this way more than other similar books. It reminded me of Bitter, Looker, Finders Keepers to name a few, all assessing basically the mental wellbeing of someone, really we just get to people watch and who doesn’t love that! It is a look into lives, how events have affected them and what they do to resolve this. Even though I felt not a lot was going, I was never bored, I quite enjoyed the easy pace of the book. The slowness, the unravelling of the past and realisation that maybe everything isn’t what it seems. Things come to a head near the end and I was cheering. I was cheering for the strength of the characters and the realisation that they are a somebody and they matter. Its an insight into toxic relationships and the hostility that can be felt behind closed doors.
But for Cath, she is a joy and beacon of light and this neighbour plays a part in Karen’s life and her acceptance to see herself as something. As we all know mental health issues are not something you can box up all nice and hope it goes away, and some characters in this book just comprehend this and do more damage from their lack of sensitivity. The rawness we have on some scenes where Karen tries to justify some of the actions, had me thinking oh I use to do that. Where you felt it was your fault that x,y,z act the way they do because of something you did or didn’t do or say. It’s amazing how much you can let someone affect you if you let them.
As I said before, the pace of the book is nice and slow, we take each day of recovery as it comes. I found that the writing was quite nice with the gorgeous landscaped views, the mundane day to day, the pottery kiln. I was engrossed in The Move, mainly just to make sure Karen was ok. I think I am confident in saying when I closed my kindle she will be ok.
I feel like I could talk about this book for ages, I do find it fascinating reading books that focus on a person at a particular time in their lives. Watching their life completely day by day, all the mundane, hearing their thoughts, insecurities and fears. This book captures that, it is not a book of thrills and spills but an almost real-life piece instead. A journey, that pretty much we all have done, not necessarily the same circumstances, but nevertheless a journey all the same. It was nice to step away from my journey for that short while and experience that.
November 4, 2020
The Move by Felicity Everett is a recommended domestic drama.
Nick and Karen have bought a house in the country that Nick has been fixing up for Karen as she recovers from an unknown illness. (It is assumed that it was a mental breakdown.) Nick was having an affair, which is supposed to be over now, and this move is to signify a new start and putting the past behind them. She meets the new neighbors, while missing her old friends, and is trying to make this new start successful. It seems that Nick, though, may have plans of his own and Karen is not sure she can trust him as odd things start to happen.
This novel is much slower paced than I was expecting and is really a story about a woman who doesn't trust her husband. The villagers they meet are a diverse bunch and they are depicted as such. The house has an odd vibe for Karen, but we don't know if it is her projecting her feelings. Is Nick sabotaging her? Karen is a potter and Nick has built her a studio in the garden, but still she has doubts. Does Nick have plans she doesn't know about or is he truly re-devoting himself to their marriage? The writing does a good job building up suspense and highlighting Karen's paranoia. The starting scene sets up the plot for ensuing drama. Then the novel had some eerie scenes, where you were scared for Karen's safety, but nothing confirmed. I found it difficult to connect with the characters or really feel engaged in the plot. There is a final twist in the tale, but I found the final denouement a bit disappointing. The Move is okay, but don't expect a thriller.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/1...
Nick and Karen have bought a house in the country that Nick has been fixing up for Karen as she recovers from an unknown illness. (It is assumed that it was a mental breakdown.) Nick was having an affair, which is supposed to be over now, and this move is to signify a new start and putting the past behind them. She meets the new neighbors, while missing her old friends, and is trying to make this new start successful. It seems that Nick, though, may have plans of his own and Karen is not sure she can trust him as odd things start to happen.
This novel is much slower paced than I was expecting and is really a story about a woman who doesn't trust her husband. The villagers they meet are a diverse bunch and they are depicted as such. The house has an odd vibe for Karen, but we don't know if it is her projecting her feelings. Is Nick sabotaging her? Karen is a potter and Nick has built her a studio in the garden, but still she has doubts. Does Nick have plans she doesn't know about or is he truly re-devoting himself to their marriage? The writing does a good job building up suspense and highlighting Karen's paranoia. The starting scene sets up the plot for ensuing drama. Then the novel had some eerie scenes, where you were scared for Karen's safety, but nothing confirmed. I found it difficult to connect with the characters or really feel engaged in the plot. There is a final twist in the tale, but I found the final denouement a bit disappointing. The Move is okay, but don't expect a thriller.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/1...
October 7, 2020
The book opens with Nick and Karen moving into their new home in the country. They lived in London previously and it becomes clear that Nick bought the house and renovated it while Karen was getting help with mental health issues. The reasons for that becoming clear as you read on.
It is obvious that Nick is gaslighting her. He seems perfect to everyone else, buying her a new house, moving his life in the city which he loves to a home in the quiet countryside, even setting up her own space (complete with kiln) for her to making her pots and other pieces. Their relationship is obviously troublesome and Nick's relationships with his sons (Ethan, with Karen and Gabe from a previous marriage) are very different too. I would have liked to have seen more from these characters.
I felt like the book plateaued out a bit. It was basically a book about their life in this new house with no real chase or climax. A few parts got me a bit excited but nothing really came of it. Not one for me.
It is obvious that Nick is gaslighting her. He seems perfect to everyone else, buying her a new house, moving his life in the city which he loves to a home in the quiet countryside, even setting up her own space (complete with kiln) for her to making her pots and other pieces. Their relationship is obviously troublesome and Nick's relationships with his sons (Ethan, with Karen and Gabe from a previous marriage) are very different too. I would have liked to have seen more from these characters.
I felt like the book plateaued out a bit. It was basically a book about their life in this new house with no real chase or climax. A few parts got me a bit excited but nothing really came of it. Not one for me.
March 31, 2021
After a traumatic time Karen moves into a house in the countryside that her husband has rennovated before she moves in. Is her past clouding her new life, is she worrying about things unnecessarily. There are unexplained tensions and you are left wondering what is in store for Karen. I think I was left wanting a little bit more from this book.
August 10, 2022
Beautiful
October 26, 2020
I enjoyed Felicity Everett’s writing style and was easily propelled along by the way the words flowed and the story moved. There weren’t really any jaw-droppers or shocks or twists. She did a really good job of describing mental illness but I’m not really sure whether the mental illness is just a part of the character or brought on by PTSD from the neglect and abuse by her husband. I liked the first person perspective and I liked the memories as they popped into her mind. Overall it is a very quick and easy read for those looking for family drama. For me personally, I like the twists and shockers.
Thanks so much to HQ and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advance!
Thanks so much to HQ and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advance!
June 26, 2020
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I really did struggle to finish this.
I found the characters really frustrating and unbelieveable.
On top of this the story was just too slow.
Two stars purely because I did finish it.
Not for me.
I really did struggle to finish this.
I found the characters really frustrating and unbelieveable.
On top of this the story was just too slow.
Two stars purely because I did finish it.
Not for me.
December 4, 2020
I would like to thank NetGalley, HQ and the author Felicity Everett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written. I gave it 3 stars because I felt like i was waiting for that moment it would be gripping but it never came. I wish the ending was the bit that drawn out a bit more but I felt it was rushed.
Still an enjoyable read with some good and interesting characters
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was beautifully written. I gave it 3 stars because I felt like i was waiting for that moment it would be gripping but it never came. I wish the ending was the bit that drawn out a bit more but I felt it was rushed.
Still an enjoyable read with some good and interesting characters
June 24, 2020
Couldn’t warm to the heroine who seemed to be a neurotic hypocritical woman. Upset that her husband had an affair and concerned about his flirtations with other women yet she had been the other woman that he left his wife for, but only when she got pregnant. Jealous of his relationship with his son by her first marriage as wanted her son to be the number one son etc. Over thinks everything and seems self obsessed. Plot could have gone somewhere but never did, unexplained events that looked like someone was targeting the heroine go unexplained or forgotten about.
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